Warrants lead to two arrests; armed robbers hit two stores in 30 minutes
Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office TAGNET (Tulare Area Gang & Narcotic Enforcement Team) units executed two search warrants Wednesday in the south county in regards to recent drug investigations. The two search warrants were executed in the 800 block of S. Foothill in Lindsay and the 16800 block of Ave 168 in Woodville.
During the execution of the search warrants, detectives found 48 marijuana plants, one firearm with ammunition, a high-capacity magazine for an assault rifle and ammunition, a little more than one pound of meth and one pound of processed marijuana.
Detectives arrested Roberto Torres, 45, for possession of meth for sales, cultivation of marijuana, maintaining a residence for drug sales, felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of ammunition.
Jose Diaz Garcia, 54, was also contacted and arrested for possession of meth for sales, possession of marijuana for sales, maintaining a residence for drug sales, felon in possession of ammunition and possession of a highcapacity magazine. Both Torres and Garcia were transported and booked at the Porterville Substation.
This case remains under investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department at (559) 733-6211 or anonymous information about this incident can be reported via Tipnow email: tcso@tipnow.nettext or voicemail at 559-725-4194 or download the Tipnow app for Android or Apple phones.
Armed robbers hit two stores in 30 minutes
Around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, TCSO deputies were called to the 33000 Block of Road 158 in Ivanhoe for a report of a robbery.
When they arrived, the clerk told deputies that an armed man wearing a mask and dark clothes walked into the store, pulled out a shotgun and demanded money. The clerk handed over an undetermined amount of money and the suspect ran away.
Shortly after that, at 4:59 p.m., deputies from the Orosi Substation were called to the 38800 Block of Monson Road in the community of Monson for another report of a robbery.
When they arrived, the clerk told deputies that two men walked into the store with shotguns and demanded money. The men got away with an unknown amount of money, as well as property.
No one was hurt in either of the robberies.
Deputies received reports of a red four-door vehicle seen at both robberies and are investigating whether or not the two are related.
Both cases are currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Property Crimes Investigation Unit. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective A. Ellis at 559-802-9563 or 800-808-0488.
Anonymous information can be reported via the Tipnow email at tcso@tipnow.com, text or voicemail at 559-7254194, or download the Tipnow app for Android or Apple users. Refer to case 18-10361 and 1810362.