TCSO detain three for Oct. kidnappings, one still at large
On Nov. 13, detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office served two warrants in the city of Visalia and one warrant in the city of Hanford targeting a northern structure gang involved in a kidnapping for ransom case.
During the warrant, detectives arrested Jacob Flores and Ericka Flores for the kidnapping, attempted kidnapping and robbery of three people on Oct. 27.
Over the last three weeks, detectives with the Violent Crimes Unit managed to unravel a group involved in a kidnapping for ransom case. The suspects in the case targeted, planned and executed simultaneous kidnappings, one occurring at a gas station in Cutler and a second happening in the city of Dinuba.
During the attempted kidnapping and robbery in the city of Dinuba, Jacob Flores and Ericka Flores tried to kidnap a woman along with her 11-year old son. During that incident, the female was able to fight off the suspect, who ultimately ran away with items stolen from the car.
At the same time, Paul Flores, Julian Hernandez and an unidentified third male suspect committed the kidnapping of the male victim in Cutler. The male victim was taken to an unknown home, where he was beaten and held for several hours. The victim was later released and managed to return home.
During the investigation, detectives identified Jacob Flores, Ericka Flores, Julian Hernandez and Paul Flores as the people responsible for the kidnappings.
Hernandez was taken into custody last week in Kings County and remains behind bars waiting to be transferred to Tulare County.
Paul Flores remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
This case is ongoing, and details surrounding the victims release and items stolen will not be released.
Anyone with information on Paul Flores’s whereabouts or details on this case should contact Detective Brandon Vancuren or Sgt. Gary Marks with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218, or by anonymously calling or texting (559)725-4194, or through email at tcso@ tipnow.com.