Local woman arrested in attempted murder case

Detectives believe she was aiding primary suspect

A Porterville woman was arrested for aiding a suspect in an attempted murder investigation, the Porterville Police Department reported.

Joan Barrajan, 26, was arrested Tuesday morning for being an accessory related to the attempted homicide of a 30-year-old man back on Jan. 27. Barrajan was later booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office.

She was taken into custody by the department’s Special Investigations Unit detectives at residence in the 800 block of East Putnam Avenue.

At 6 a.m. on Jan. 27, PPD officers were called to a residence in the 200 block of South Jaye Street to investigate an alleged assault. Upon arrival, officers found a 30-year-old man laying on the sidewalk suffering from multiple stab wounds.

The victim was transported to a local trauma center and treated for his injuries.

As a result of the initial investigation, Yovani Raya emerged as the primary suspect. Raya remains at-large and may have fled the area.

Over the course of the ongoing investigation, detectives believe that Barrajan was providing pertinent information to Raya to aid him in avoiding apprehension.

The investigation of the original incident is ongoing and an arrest warrant for attempted murder has been issued for Raya. PPD said he should be considered armed and dangerous. If you see Raya or know of his whereabouts, you are asked not to approach him, instead immediately call 911 or notify the Porterville Police Department at 782-7400.