Nine vehicles broken into at car lot: Suspect caught

A thief smashed windows and stole various items early Friday from cars parked at a car lot in Porterville.

An investigation the car sales lot by Porterville police revealed that nine different vehicles in the fenced-in lot had been broken into, according to a police report. Entry was made into these vehicles by smashing the windows. Stereo equipment was removed from some of the vehicles.

The suspect, Ramon Martinez, 21, of Porterville, was observed during the investigation inside the fenced car lot climbing into the bed of a pick-up and using it to exit the lot by climbing over a chain-link fence, police report.

The officer ordered the fleeing suspect to stop and warned that a K-9 would be deployed. The suspect continued running away and the officer released the police service dog. The K-9 apprehended the suspect a short distance away and he was taken into custody, police report.

The investigation started when officers were dispatched at 2:20 a.m. Friday to the Sunset Auto Sales, 52 W. Orange Ave., for a report of a possible burglary.

Martinez was treated at Sierra View District Hospital for dog bite injuries sustained during his apprehension. He was then booked at Tulare County Jail on suspicion of burglary, possession of burglary tools and resisting arrest.