Crime Blotter 09/09-10/12

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.

Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012
Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance
Officers were dispatched to the bridge near 109 N. E Street regarding a subject hiding under the bridge. Officers arrived and contacted John Chavez, 42. Chavez was arrested for being under the influence of methamphetamine.

Domestic Violence
Officers responded to the 600 block of East Poplar Avenue regarding domestic violence. The victim reported that her boyfriend Steven Williams, 27, struck her in the face with his fist causing visible injury. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance for treatment. The suspect was located and arrested without incident.

Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Officers were dispatched to the area of Olive Avenue and Newcomb Street regarding the location of a stolen vehicle. When officers arrived they located the vehicle occupied by Esaias Bateman and Misti Gifford. During a search of the vehicle, officers located evidence indicating both suspects were involved in the theft of the vehicle. Officers also located a syringe loaded with suspected methamphetamine. The vehicle was a complete recovery and returned to the victim. Both suspects were booked.

Monday, Sept. 10, 2012
Trespassing
Officers responded to Sierra View District Hospital regarding a male subject who was refusing to leave the hospital after he was discharged. Gerardo Moreno Zavala, 55, was contacted and still refused to leave after being asked to do so by officers. Zavala was arrested for trespassing and was booked at TCSO.

Counterfeit Currency
Officers responded to Carl’s Jr. regarding a counterfeit $100 bill. Officers contacted a subject who voluntarily waited for officers arrival after restaurant employees advised him they were calling the police department regarding the fictitious bill. Further investigation determined that the subject had no knowledge of the counterfeit bill. The bill was seized and it will be forwarded to the United States Secret Service.

Child Endangerment, Police Pursuit
Officers responded to the 800 block of East Forester Court regarding a runaway report. It was reported that the 15-year-old juvenile had left the residence and was witnessed by a family member leaving with suspect, Gerardo Rivas, in a vehicle. The investigation lead officers to the Palm Tree Inn where Rivas’ vehicle was located. Attempts were made to contact the juvenile and after several minutes, the door was answered. The juvenile was uncooperative with the investigation and was returned to her mother who responded to the scene. Further investigation revealed the bathroom window was open, indicating Rivas may have fled from the room during the delay in the door being answered. Surveillance was conducted and Rivas was seen leaving in his vehicle a few minutes later. Officers attempted to make a traffic stop; however, Rivas failed to yield and a short pursuit ensued. Rivas then stopped and was taken into custody without incident. Rivas was determined to be on Department of Corrections Parole and a Parole warrant was issued for him. He was later booked at TCSO.

Hit and Run Traffic Collision
Officers responded to the 300 block of East Olive Avenue regarding a hit and run traffic collision. A vehicle was reported to have collided with the fence line of the new court house that is under construction. Evidence was located at the scene, which aided in identifying the vehicle, and the investigation is ongoing.

Petty Theft
Officers responded to El Gallito regarding a theft report. The victim reported she was eating at the restaurant and got up to get something. A witness informed her that a male suspect took her cell phone from the table and left in black Honda Accord. The investigation is ongoing.

Traffic Collision
Officers responded to Highway 65 at West North Grand Avenue regarding a traffic collision report. The at-fault driver was northbound on Hwy. 65 in a 2008 Ford F-150 when he was distracted and took his eyes off the roadway. His vehicle rear ended a 1990 International Dump Truck that was in front of him. The truck ran off the roadway and struck the fence line on the west side of the roadway. Further follow-up investigation is being conducted. There were no injuries as a result of the collision.

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