3 men arrested for alleged swap meet truck theft

Three men were arrested at the Porterville swap meet this weekend after they allegedly stole a pickup truck.

Detectives with a county auto theft prevention unit were patrolling the Porterville swap meet Saturday after a string of recent auto burglaries and auto thefts at the swap meet, 900 S. College Ave., Porterville.

Detectives reportedly saw a suspicious Mercury Marquis driving around the area, and began following the car. They then noticed a white Chevrolet truck, which was similar to recent vehicles stolen in the area, driving in front of the Mercury.

They followed both vehicles and determined that the truck had allegedly been stolen by the driver, identified as Ivan Izazaga, 19, of Richgrove, police report.

A traffic stop was conducted on both vehicles.

Jonathan Velador, 19, of Richgrove, and Enrique Meza, 20, of Delano, were inside the Mercury. Police suspect they helped in the alleged truck theft.

All three men were booked into the county jail on suspicion of auto theft, possession of a stolen truck and conspiracy.

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