Crime Blotter 01/05/13

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.

Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013
Auto Theft
Officers responded to a residence in the 1100 block of West Belleview Avenue regarding a stolen vehicle. The victim reported her white 1980 Toyota pickup was taken from her residence.

Burglary
Officers responded to a residence in the 400 block of North Villa Street regarding a burglary report. The homeowner reported that someone had gone into her unsecured residence and taken 2 washing machines, 3 tv’s, 3 boxes of antiques, and 15 records. This residence has significant damage as a result of structure fire.

Petty Theft
Officers responded to the 200 block of North Balmayne Street regarding a burglary. The victim reported he left his vehicle unlocked and sometime throughout the night his Alpine stereo was stolen from his Honda Civic that was parked in front of the residence.

Warrant Arrest
Officers responded to a residence in the 100 block of North Porter Road to check the location for warrant subjects. Officers contacted Humberto Beltran, 20, on the premises. Beltran had a felony warrant for selling stolen property. He was arrested without incident and later booked at TCSO.

Special Investigations Unit
Detectives were in the area of Division Street and North Avenue when they contacted three subjects walking in an alley. Willie Champion IV, Rick Barrios and a juvenile. Champion was in possession of a loaded .44 caliber handgun hidden in his waistband and was arrested. He was booked at the substation. Barrios was too intoxicated to care for his own safety and was arrested for public intoxication. The juvenile was released to his parents from the police department.

Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance
Officers contacted Thomas Garcia, 25, during a verbal dispute at on West Charles Lane. Garcia displayed objective symptoms of controlled substance use and he was subsequently arrested for being under the influence. Garcia was booked at the PPD and he was cited and released.

Petty Theft
Officers responded to Khols regarding a shoplifter who had walked out of the business with a stolen pair of pants. The suspect, Matthew Long, was contacted and arrested. He was later cited and released.

DUI
Officers made a traffic stop on East Henderson Avenue. Jorge Zuniga, 30, displayed symptoms of intoxication and was subsequently arrested for DUI.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
Officers observed a reckless driver in the area of Orange Avenue and Jaye Street. During the attempt to catch up with the vehicle, it began trying to evade. As officers caught up with the vehicle in the 300 block of South Cottage Street, it struck two mail boxes and the driver fled into the river bottom on foot. A passenger, Roger Taylor, 22, was detained at the scene. Taylor displayed objective symptoms of narcotic use and was arrested for being under the influence. The suspect vehicle was towed and officers are continuing the investigation.

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