PPD gang detail nets seven arrests
Detectives from the Porterville Police Department Special Investigations Unit, assisted by Tulare County Probation, arrested seven people during a gang detail on Friday and Saturday, the Porterville Police Department reported. Members of criminal street gangs who were on active probation were contacted during the detail.
Detectives from the Porterville Police Department Special Investigations Unit, assisted by Tulare County Probation, arrested seven people during a gang detail on Friday and Saturday, the Porterville Police Department reported. Members of criminal street gangs who were on active probation were contacted during the detail.
Several subjects were at a residence in the sub 100 block of North Fourth Street. Thomas Cruz, 28, an active criminal street gang member, had an arrest warrant for domestic violence and violation of probation. Heriberto Nunez, 25, a criminal street gang associate, had an arrest warrant for child endangerment and violation of probation.
Cruz and Nunez were arrested and booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Porterville Sub-station and are being held in lieu of $60,000 and $20,000 bail, respectively.
Augustine Garcia, 35, was contacted at his residence in the 700 block of West Lybarger Street. Garcia, an active criminal street gang member who is on Post Release Community Supervision, had two arrest warrants for narcotics use and violation of probation. Additionally a flash hold was issued by probation officers. Garcia was arrested and booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Porterville Substation.
Detectives responded to an apartment located in the 200 block of West Belleview Avenue to contact Thomas Chrisp, 29, an active criminal street gang member. As detectives were attempting contact, Chrisp fled into a neighboring apartment, but he was eventually found. Chrisp had three arrest warrants for spousal abuse, narcotic possession, resisting arrest, traffic violations and violation of probation.
Chrisp was arrested and booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Porterville Sub-station and is being held in lieu of $30,000 bail.
Detectives conducted a traffic enforcement stop of a vehicle leaving a residence in the 1000 block of North Highland Drive where James Encinas, 38, a criminal street gang member, resided. The vehicle fled and a pursuit ensued that ended in the 1400 block of North Cottage Street. The driver and passenger both fled from the suspect vehicle, but were apprehended.
The driver was confirmed to be Encinas who had five arrest warrants for narcotic use and possession, vandalism, traffic violations and violation of probation. The passenger was identified as Crystal Wall, 35, and she had four arrest warrants for narcotic possession and use, traffic violations, trespassing, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of probation. Encinas and Wall were also determined to both be under the influence of narcotics. Encinas was arrested and booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Pre-trial Facility for the warrants and suspicion of felony evading, resisting arrest and driving under the influence of narcotics. He is being held in lieu of $750,000 bail.
Wall was arrested and booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Pre-trial Facility for the confirmed warrants, and suspicion of resisting arrest and being under the influence of a controlled substance. She is being held in lieu of $270,000 bail.
Rudy Ochoa, 38, a criminal street gang member was contacted at his residence located in the 900 block of South Indiana Street. Ochoa had two arrest warrants for felon in possession of a firearm, disturbing the peace and violation of probation. Ochoa was arrested and booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Porterville Sub-station and is being held in lieu of $40,000 bail.
Anyone having information about criminal street gang activity and gang-related crimes are urged to contact detectives at the Porterville Police Department at 782-7400.