Crime Blotter 09/20/12

PORTERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Information below is provided to The Recorder by the Porterville Police Department. It is noted that only arrests are reported and the suspects have not been found guilty of any crime.

Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012

Missing Juvenile

Officers responded to Bartlett Middle School regarding a suspicious male subject acting as if he was looking for someone. Once officers arrived, they determined the male subject was looking for his 9-year-old son who had run away. As time passed without locating the juvenile, nightshift police officers joined in the search. The police department utilized the system, “A Child Is Missing,” and over 1,000 phone calls were made within a 2-mile radius of where the child was last seen to alert neighbors. As officers and detectives were searching for the juvenile, a citizen called Porterville Police Communications and said she believed she saw the juvenile in the area of Olive Avenue and Villa Street. Officers responded to the area and located the juvenile. He was transported back to his residence and released to detectives to complete the investigation.

Embezzlement / Burglary

Officers responded to Sears regarding an embezzled Kenmore stove. The owner stated that a delivery driver, Albert Garcia, 53, embezzled a stove when he left this morning on a scheduled delivery run. The owner stated he discovered the stove missing after an inventory of their appliances confirmed the stove was taken. It was later reported that Garcia had planned to take the stove and sell it to one of his friends, who was identified as Phillip Bernal, 55. Bernal was contacted at his residence and was taken into custody. Officers also located Garcia at his residence and arrested him. Both Bernal and Garcia were later booked at the TCSD Porterville Substation.

Felony Vandalism

Officers responded to the 200 block of North E Street regarding vandalism to a vehicle. A suspect broke out two windows to his vehicle and keyed his vehicle on the passenger side. The victim estimated the damage at approximately $4,000. Physical evidence was located at the scene and the investigation is ongoing.

Domestic Violence

Officers responded to the 1000 block of West Thurman Avenue regarding a domestic violence report. Officers arrived and contacted the victim who had a split lip and a laceration above her eye. The investigation revealed that the father of the victim’s children, Edwin Carrillo, 22, pushed the victim and caused her injuries. Carrillo was contacted inside the residence and taken into custody without incident.

Burglary

Officers responded to New Life Church regarding vehicle burglaries. Two victims reported that suspect(s) entered their vehicles and stole purses.

Burglary

Officers responded to the 1000 block of West Belleview Avenue regarding a residential burglary report. The victim reported that suspect(s) made entry through a window of her trailer and stole a DVD player, jewelry, and CD’s.

Warrant Arrest

Officers contacted Ramon Espino, 38, sleeping in his vehicle in the 200 block of East Orange Avenue. He was determined to have a warrant for his arrest and was booked.

Burglary of an Inhabited Residence / Assault with a Deadly Weapon / Attempted Burglary

Officers responded to the 1700 block of West Olive Avenue regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. The victim reported that the suspect, Thurston Wells, was at the apartment complex when he brandished a weapon and demanded the victim’s bicycle and money. The victim refused and was struck with the weapon by Wells. The victim ran into his apartment and attempted to close the door on Wells who was running after him. Wells forced his way inside and continued to assault the victim. Witnesses contacted police and Wells was arrested and booked. The victim suffered abrasions and did not require medical attention.

You can follow police activity on the public safety scanner on The Porterville Recorder’s website: www.recorderonline.com.