Porterville man arrested in drug-related case

After a week-long investigation, Porterville police arrested Matthew Thomas Southerland in an alleged drug sales-related incident.

Detectives received information at about 6 p.m. June 30 that someone known only as “Matt” was allegedly trying to sell stolen firearms on the 900 block of North Belmont Avenue.

Southerland, a 20-year-old Porterville resident, was identified the suspect, police report. He was allegedly responsible for a residential burglary that had previously gone undiscovered.

An 59-year-old male Porterville resident whose name was no disclosed was the reported victim of the burglary.

A search of Southerland’s home reportedly yielded a single marijuana plant that was being cultivated.

Detectives developed information on July 1 that Southerland was at a home on the 700 block of South Larson Street. He was taken into custody without incident and booked on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property and cultivation of marijuana.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Detective Rick Carrillo, 782-7418, or Detective Sgt. John Hall, 782-7400.

-- Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1043.