Two arrested in Porterville for Lindsay kidnapping case
Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office responded Wednesday morning at 12:30 a.m. to the 1000 block of Hermosa Avenue, in the city of Tulare, regarding a report of a kidnapping and robbery that occurred in the unincorporated area of Tulare County, on the 19600 block of Acacia in Lindsay.
The 20-year-old male victim said he had been lured into this area of the county by two known suspects, who then pulled out a gun, kidnapped him, took him back to his house and took money and clothing from him.
Detectives from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation.
During the course of the investigation, Detectives from the Violent
Crimes Unit, along with Deputies from the Porterville Substation, responded to the 100 block of North Waukesha Street, in Porterville. They arrested Kassandra Mendez, 20, and Gerardo Pena, 19.
A search warrant was completed and evidence was located linking both suspects to the crime.
The victim reported a total loss of $1,460 and Detectives recovered $1,373 worth of his property.
Both Mendez and Pena were later booked into the Adult Pre-trial Facility. The relationship between the victim and both suspects is still under investigation.
This case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Violent Crimes Investigations Unit. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Det. E. Ramos at (559) 8029563 or (800) 808-0488. Anonymous information about this crime can be reported through Tipnow email tcso@tipnow.net, text or voicemail at (559) 725-4194, or download the Tipnow app for Androior Apple phones. Refer to case 18-09069.