The Tulare Stringer

10/02/2025

TULARE PD PRESS RELEASE

On 02-07-2025 at approximately 2251 hours, the Tulare Police Department communication center received a call regarding shots heard in the area of W. San Joaquin Ave and N. California Street in the City of Tulare. When officers arrived, they located several casings in the roadway. In addition, they located 31-year-old male, Solomon Ponce of Tulare, nearby suffering from a gunshot wound.

Solomon Ponce was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. While on scene, the Tulare Police Department communication center received an additional call regarding a 39-year-old male of Tulare, who had self-transported to the hospital. The male was suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Detectives quickly determined the male was on scene at the time of the shooting.

Through the investigation detectives learned there was a physical altercation between Solomon Ponce and several other males, in the area of W. San Joaquin Ave and N. California Street. After the physical altercation one of the suspects fired shots at Solomon Ponce.

Detectives identified a location for one of the suspects and obtained a search warrant for the residence. During the search warrant detectives arrested a 17-year-old Hispanic male juvenile, in connection with the shooting. Detectives believe the motive for the shooting is gang related.

This investigation is ongoing, and Detectives are asking members of the community if they have any information regarding this homicide to please contact Detective Eric Wilson at 559-685-2300 x 2157.

04/02/2025

03/02/2025

Thoughts?

🧰 Introducing the new Community Tool Shed program!

The City of Tulare is happy to announce that the Community Tool Shed is now available to City of Tulare residents. Residents will be able to borrow available yard tools to help maintain their properties.

Please call (559) 684-4278 for more information or visit the City's website at www.tulare.ca.gov.

03/02/2025

Breaking News: Former Visalia Police officer Corey Harris indicted on federal fi****ms charges.

The 34-year-old from Exeter faces charges of conspiracy to traffic fi****ms and unlawful dealing and manufacturing of fi****ms without a license. Allegedly, between 2021 and 2023, Harris transferred fi****ms, including a stolen AK-style rifle, a G***k handgun, and a ghost gun, to a known felon. At his arrest, Harris was working for the California Department of Cannabis Control.

01/02/2025

PORTERVILLE POLICE

Press Release

Incident:
Officer Involved Shooting

Date/Time:
January 31, 2025 / 10:56 P.M.

Location:
1000 Block of North Salisbury Street, Porterville, CA

Suspect(s):
Sebastian Martinez, 35-year-old Male, Porterville Resident

Summary:

On Friday, January 31, 2025, at approximately 11:00 P.M., Porterville Police Department Officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of North Salisbury Street regarding several gunshots heard in the area. Upon arrival, officers approached a residence where there appeared to be a party going on. They knocked on the door and announced their presence as police officers. The suspect, Sebastian Martinez, turned on the porch light and walked outside. As he did, he pointed a firearm at one of the officers. An additional officer on scene fired at the suspect, striking him.

Officers rendered aid to Martinez until medical personnel arrived on scene. The suspect was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. He was also in possession of another firearm in his waistband. Both of the fi****ms recovered from the suspect were loaded. No officers were injured.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office was contacted and are conducting the criminal investigation into this incident. Evidence was located indicating the original call for service of shots heard in the area may have come from this residence. The shots are presumed to have been shot into the air. The suspect had several prior convictions for drug possession, possession of stolen property, and illegal possession of fi****ms.

As with all officer-involved shootings, this incident is undergoing a thorough multi-level review process by the Porterville Police Department, as well as a separate independent investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. As standard protocol, both officers were placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.

The suspect will be facing potential charges of attempted murder, felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and child endangerment. The sheriff’s office is also investigating the negligent discharge of a firearm stemming from the calls for service.

This is an ongoing investigation being conducted in partnership with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Press inquiries can be sent to Assistant Chief of Police, Dominic Barteau at [email protected]. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218.

31/01/2025

On Thursday, January 30, 2025 Exeter Police Officers received a report of a 16-year-old female juvenile who had been sexually assaulted overnight at a residence located within the city limits of Exeter.

Detectives responded and learned that the suspect was an adult male resident of Exeter.

Detectives served a search warrant at the residence and the suspect Ramon Reyes-Garcia (28 years of age) was arrested and booked on numerous felony charges and booked at the Tulare County Pretrial Facility.

30/01/2025

There is no such thing as a routine traffic stop. Body camera video shows the officer trying to get the man to cooperate but he tried to run and was tased.

30/01/2025

Chevron is directing customers to urge lawmakers to rethink carbon emissions legislation, which it claims will lead to higher gas prices and nearly 25% of your gas money going to state taxes and fe…

29/01/2025

29/01/2025

On Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at about 4:00pm, KCSO Deputies were dispatched to the 11500 block of Fourth Place, Hanford, for a request to check the welfare of an adult female. Upon arrival at the residence, Deputies located the female deceased from a gunshot wound. Deputies contacted the KCSO Detective Unit who responded and took over the scene.

Over the course of the investigation, Detectives identified the suspect as 23-year-old Jonathan Alexis Maldonado-Cruz, out of Hanford. Detectives believe Jonathan left the residence at approximately 1:00 am on January 28, 2025, with two female children he shared with the victim, ages 2 and 3.

Jonathan left the residence driving a 2020 Hyundai Elantra, 4-door, grey in color, with California License . With the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, Detectives issued an Amber Alert, containing the above-mentioned information.

Anyone with information regarding this case, or the whereabouts of Jonathan or the children is asked to contact Detective Tyler Haener at (559) 670-9320 or (559) 852-2818 or Kings County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (559) 852-2720. Information can also be provided anonymously by contacting (559) 852-4554.

UPDATE (01/29/2025 11:05am):

Throughout the course of the investigation, KCSO Detectives developed information that this suspect, Jonathan Alexis Maldonado-Cruz, may have fled to Mexico. Our Sheriff’s Office staff obtained the necessary information pertaining to the children being taken by Jonathan and provided that to the California Highway Patrol, requesting an Amber Alert be activated. The CHP is ultimately responsible for issuing the alert.

KCSO asks the public to please share the attached flyer to assist us in pushing out the information to work toward locating these children.

Anyone with information regarding this case, or the whereabouts of Jonathan or the children is asked to contact Detective Tyler Haener at (559) 670-9320 or (559) 852-2818or Kings County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (559) 852-2720. Information can also be provided anonymously by contacting (559) 852-4554

29/01/2025

HANFORD, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – An amber alert was issued on Tuesday after a mother was found dead in her home and her two toddlers missing, deputies say. On Tuesday around 4 p.m., deputies say they …

28/01/2025

Update- It appears that these suspects are on a rampage this evening.

At approximately 12:43AM (1-28-25) Lindsay PD and TCSO responded to the AMPM in the 900 Blk W Hermosa for report of 4 masks individuals with guns running out of the store.
The suspects fled in a dark colored sedan prior to police arrival.

At 1:05AM (1-28-25) Porterville PD responded to the Handy Market in the 400 Blk W Poplar for a robbery in which 4 masked individuals with guns robbed the store before fleeing in a dark colored sedan.

At around 3:00AM CHP spotted a sedan traveling at over 120 mph on the CA-99 Northbound toward Ave 280 with no lights. CHP attempted to catch up but lost the vehicle at the CA99/ CA198 interchange.

Original Post-
At around 8:30 this evening (1-27-25) Tulare Police responded to a robbery at Valero at the corner of Bardsley/ Blackstone.
3 suspects fled in a grey Hyundai Elantra after taking an unknown amount of cash.
Tulare Police have taken report and are investigating.
We will update if we receive any further information!

21/01/2025

TULARE, Calif. — A 32-year-old woman from Tulare was killed in a hit-and-run incident on January 19, 2025, near Cross Avenue and Mooney Boulevard. The Tulare Po

20/01/2025

On January 19, 2025, at approximately 8:15 PM, the Tulare Police Department received a 911 call reporting a deceased individual on the roadway near Cross Avenue and Mooney Boulevard in Tulare. Officers and emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene, where they found the victim. Despite attempts to administer life-saving measures, the victim succumbed to her injuries. The deceased was identified as a 32-year-old woman from Tulare.

Through their investigation, officers determined that the woman had been walking back from a store when she was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound on Mooney Boulevard. The driver of the vehicle initially fled the scene but later returned and confessed to striking the woman. The driver, identified as 26-year-old Dominick Nunez of Visalia, explained that he fled due to fear. He was cooperative with authorities, and there was no indication that alcohol played a role in the incident.

Because Nunez left the scene of the accident, was arrested for Felony Hit and Run and transported to the Tulare County Jail, South County Division. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Officers believe the woman was struck by additional vehicles that fled the scene. We would like to encourage anyone with information on the identity of the drivers to contact the Tulare Police Department.

While this is a tragic event, it is important to note that it appears to have been an accident. Had the driver remained at the scene, it is likely that he would not have been arrested. The Tulare Police Department urges the community to stay on the scene in the event of an accident to avoid further legal complications.

20/01/2025

5:45 pm TCSO and Farmersville PD were dispatched to the area of Ave 288 (Walnut) and Road 156 after multiple reports of shots being fired towards a vehicle. Injuries were reported. Road 156 is closed south of Ave 256; shell casings were located as the investigation continues. We will update if more information becomes available.

18/01/2025

🚨 NEWS ALERT 🚨
A federal court has ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is illegal, just before the start of a new Trump administration, according to an ABC report. This decision, made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, affects only Texas by stopping new DACA applications while allowing current recipients to renew their status. This ruling does not immediately impact DACA beneficiaries outside Texas but sets the stage for further legal challenges.

18/01/2025

WOW

On January 15, 2025, A 79-year-old victim reported to police she was scammed. The victim received a phone call stating her grandson had been arrested and identified themselves as a bail bondsman. They requested $9,600 dollars to facilitate the release of her grandson. The suspect made arrangements for a courier to pick up the money from her residence. They told the victim they would call her tomorrow with further information regarding grandson’s release. The victim called family members, after suspecting this was a scam, and learned she had in fact been defrauded. She contacted the Tulare Police Department.

On January 16, 2025, the suspect called the victim and requested an additional $22,000. After some negotiation the suspect agreed to take $5,000. The Tulare Police Department Crime Specific Unit conducted surveillance on the victim’s residence. The suspect again told the victim a “courier” would be by to pick up the money. A short time later, a male arrived and picked up the money. The driver was followed out of the city and stopped near Tipton. Detectives quickly learned the Uber driver did not have knowledge of the scam and cooperated with police.

The Uber driver drove to a restaurant in Castaic, California. The suspect arrived at the location to pick up the money. The suspect attempted to make a fast getaway but was apprehended without incident. He was transported back to Tulare Police Department for booking and interview. Evidence pertaining to the first transaction of $9,600 was located in the vehicle. The suspect admitted to the scam but advised the main suspects were in the Dominican Republic. The suspect was identified as 24-year-old Manuel Rivera Cueto, who has an address in Los Angeles. Manuel Rivera Cueto said he is just a “mule” but has done this approximately 10 times. He was found to have a warrant out of Las Vegas, Nevada for 14 counts of theft by false pretenses.

12/01/2025

Man who lost home in the Palisades Fire discovers his dog is alive after spending 5 nights in the rubble