Two people arrested for robbery, conspiracy, child endangerment, evading
Third suspect remains at-large
Three people, including a woman with an 8-month-old boy, fled from police following the armed robbery of a story in Ducor, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office reported. Two were arrested including the woman by deputies in an orchard in Richgrove.
Three people, including a woman with an 8-month-old boy, fled from police following the armed robbery of a story in Ducor, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office reported. Two were arrested including the woman by deputies in an orchard in Richgrove.
At 10:04 a.m. on Thursday, an armed robbery occurred within a business known as the Ducor Handy Mart and Shell Station in the 23000 block of Avenue 56 Ducor. During the robbery, a suspect entered the business armed with a handgun and demanded money from an adult clerk at the register. The armed robber managed to take an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency from the cash register and fled out of the business to an awaiting vehicle that was parked off of the property, but nearby.
At the time of the robbery, the owner and another clerk were within the business, along with a couple other patrons.
Although not encouraged by law enforcement for safety reasons, the owner of the business took it upon himself to follow the suspect vehicle, at which time the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the situation. A short time later, the owner lost visual of the suspect vehicle, however, Sheriff’s patrol units were able to locate the suspect vehicle and engaged in a pursuit, which ultimately ended, due to the vehicle becoming stuck in a tree orchard where farm work was in progress near Road 192 and Avenue 32 Richgrove.
Three suspects fled from this scene with one of them surprisingly carrying a small child. A large perimeter was established with assistance from additional Sheriff’s patrol and K-9 units, the utilization of the Sheriff’s drone and the California Highway Patrol. Field workers were safely evacuated and two out of the three suspects were captured without further incident and the small child was taken out of harm’s way. There were no injuries to anyone with regard to the entire incident.
Sheriff’s detectives responded and assumed the investigation with further assistance from patrol. Through investigation, which is still ongoing, the two apprehended suspects were identified as Freddy Perez also known as Freddie Rosales, 23, Donelle Luthhultz, 19, both out of the Earlimart area. The small child was in the care of the two arrested during the incident. The child was later placed into the care of the Child Welfare Service as part of the investigation.
Both suspects will be booked into the Sheriff’s Adult Pretrial Facility. Perez will be booked for robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime, child endangerment, evading law enforcement and violating conditions of State Parole. Luthultz will be booked for robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime, child endangerment and evading law enforcement.
It is believed there is a third suspect involved and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department at 7336218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to Tcso@tipnow.com or call 725-4194.