Tulare County Sheriff’s Department

Agricultural Crimes Unit Informational Bulletin

Date: August 24th – August 30th, 2012

Recent Arrests/Court Activity:

Victor Quintana (79) of Dinuba was arrested on Thursday afternoon and booked at the Tulare County Jail. An Investigator of the District Attorney’s Rural Crime Unit worked in conjunction with Inspectors of the Tulare County Agriculture Commissioners office on the investigation, resulting in nine felony charges and twelve misdemeanor charges. The charges stem from an incident in November of 2011 when Quintana provided pest control services for a north county family. Quintana applied federally restricted agriculture chemicals in a residential setting, causing severe medical issues for the tenants of the home. Quintana is not licensed to provide pest control services.

North County Activity: Cutler-Orosi/Dinuba area:

In the area of Cutler, between Avenue 404 & Robert Road: Between 08-23-2012 and 08-24-2012, unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s property and removed 28 brass irrigation valves, measuring 6” in diameter each. Victim estimates loss at approximately $840. If you have any information about this case, please contact Det. Jordan Whaley at Jwhaley@co.tulare.ca.us or 559-735-1853 and refer to case #12-11100. In the area of Dinuba, between Avenue 396 & Road 64: Between 08-21-2012 and 08-24-2012, unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s property and removed 2 brass irrigation valves, measuring 4” in diameter each. Suspect(s) used something to smash the PVC pipe to break the valves loose. It appeared the suspect(s) might have been in a hurry, because there were several more brass valves nearby that could have also been taken with the same method. Victim estimates loss at approximately $80. If you have any information about this case, please contact Det. Jordan Whaley at Jwhaley@co.tulare.ca.us or 559-735-1853 and refer to case #12-11096. In the area of Dinuba, between Avenue 388 & Road 84: Between 08-20-2012 and 08-21-2012, the reporting party located some cardboard packaging boxes in a vineyard approximately 700 acres, near the above intersection. The boxes were set on top of the vines. The R/P was concerned the boxes were left there for possible theft of grapes later in the night. If you have any information about this case, please contact Det. Jordan Whaley at Jwhaley@co.tulare.ca.us or 559-735-1853 and refer to case #12-11031.

Office of Bill Wittman Sheriff-Coroner County Civic Center Visalia, CA 93291-4580

Headquarters (Visalia/Tulare) area:

In the area of Visalia, on Akers Road: On 08-23-2012, the victim stated he believes his 2 dogs were intentionally poisoned by unknown suspect(s). When the victim arrived at his ranch, he discovered one of his dogs dead. Sometime later, that day, he saw the other dog pick up a bone and run off with it. A few minutes later he observed the same dog staggering back to him and dying shortly thereafter. Victim believes the bone the dog picked up was poisoned. Victim estimates loss at approximately $200. If you have any information about this case, please contact Det. Mike Rubalcaba at Mrubalca@co.tulare.ca.us or 559-735-1853 and refer to case #12-11279. In the area of Tulare, between Avenue 256 & Road 108: Between 08-26-2012 and 08-28-2012, unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s property and removed several milking equipment parts from the milking barn. These milking parts are described as follows: 16 milking claws, 16 plastic pulsator cups, 16 jetter cups with stainless steel ends and 1 washout pump. Victim estimates loss at approximately $14,640. If you have any information about this case, please contact Det. Mike Rubalcaba at Mrubalca@co.tulare.ca.us or 559-735-1853 and refer to case #12-11342.

South County Activity: Porterville Substation area:

In the area of Terra Bella, between Avenue 100 & Road 256: Between 01-01-2012 and 08-23-2012, unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s property and removed approximately 360’ of copper wiring, from 4 wind machines. 3 of the wind machines had not been in use since January of this year. The victim observed the fourth wind machine to have the bottom panel open and the 3 large strands of copper wire missing. It appears the suspect(s) opened the lower access panel, cut the three strands, climb up the service ladder, open the upper access panel, cut the wire up top and pull the wire through. Victim estimates loss at approximately $10,000. If you have any information about this case, please contact Det. Travis Shaw at Tshaw@co.tulare.ca.us or 559-735-1853 and refer to case # 12-11097. In the area of Porterville, between Avenue 64 & Road 208: Between 08-22-2012 and 08-27-2012, unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s property, cut the master-style locks on 2 trailers and removed 2 blue 10x10 canopies, 15 fifty pound scales, 20 gray umbrellas, and 6 red chairs. Victim estimates loss at approximately $1,683. If you have any information about this case, please contact Det. Travis Shaw at Tshaw@co.tulare.ca.us or 559-735-1853 and refer to case # 12-11225.

Pixley Substation area: In the area of Earlimart, between Avenue 56 & Road 160: Between 08-21-2012 and 08-22-2012, unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s property and removed 7 bundles of Styrofoam boxes, with 36 boxes in each bundle. These boxes were to be used for grape export purposes. This is the second theft of these types of boxes from this victim in one week. Victim estimates loss at approximately $435.96. If you have any information about this case, please contact Det. Mike Rubalcaba at Mrubalca@co.tulare.ca.us or 559-735-1853 and refer to case #12-10993.

In the area of Delano, between County Line Road & Road 160: On 08-22-2012 and 08-23-2012, unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s property and removed 300 boxes of “Reglo” grapes from 12 rows in a vineyard. Each box could contain approximately 20 pounds of grapes. Victim estimates loss at approximately $6,000. On 08-24-2012 and 08-25-2012, unknown suspects entered the victim’s property again and removed another 375 boxes of grapes from 21 rows in a vineyard. Each box could contain approximately 20 pounds of grapes. Victim estimates loss at approximately $7,500. If you have any information about these cases, please contact Det. Mike Rubalcaba at Mrubalca@co.tulare.ca.us or 559-735-1853 and refer to case #12-11022 and #12-11131. In the area of Delano, between Avenue 16 & Highway 43: Between 08-28-2012 and 08-29-2012, unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s property with a vehicle, then drove around the square, fenced off area, where a diesel tank and water pump was located. The suspect(s) caused damage to the fence by striking it. Victim believes suspect(s) were attempting to steal the diesel fuel, but were unsuccessful. Victim estimates loss at approximately $1,500 for damage to the fence. If you have any information about this case, please contact Det. Mike Rubalcaba at Mrubalca@co.tulare.ca.us or 559-735-1853 and refer to case #12-11330. In the area of Pixley, between Avenue 56 & Road 88: On 08-27-2012, unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s property and removed approximately 45’ of copper wiring. It appears the suspect(s) cut through the barbed wire fence, enter the property, and cut a chain which was securing the power box to the irrigation pump. The box to the power relay on the irrigation pump had been cut open with a cutting tool or torch. Victim estimates loss at approximately $100. If you have any information about this case, please contact Det. Mike Rubalcaba at Mrubalca@co.tulare.ca.us or 559-735-1853 and refer to case #12-11240. Respectfully, Sgt. Jody Cox Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes Unit Office #559-735-1853 Fax # 559-737-4620 Dispatch #559-733-6218 1-800-808-0488

E-mail contacts: Sgt. Jody Cox JOCox@co.tulare.ca.us Det. Mike Rubalcaba Mrubalca@co.tulare.ca.us Det. Travis Shaw Tshaw@co.tulare.ca.us Det. Jordan Whaley Jwhaley@co.tulare.ca.us Hotline: 559-725-4194 or TCSO@tipnow.com D.A. Investigator Kurt McPhetridge Kmcphetridge@co.tulare.ca.us Office #559-624-1054

Additional BOL Information

Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office On 08-19-12, two John Deere tractors were stolen from the unincorporated area of Gilroy, California in Santa Clara County. One tractor is a 2011 John Deere 7130, with a serial number of LO7130D665998. The other John Deere is a 2003 8320, with a serial number of RW8320P014691. This John Deere had a Domries 16' yellow disc attached to it. The serial number for the disc is OFNX101034. Everything is entered into Stolen Vehicle System. It is possible the suspects used a low boy trailer to haul the tractors. Coincidently, Gilroy Police Department had a low boy trailer stolen on 08-19-12 and it was recovered in Salida in Stanislaus County on Highway 99 by CHP on 08-21-12. On 08-24-12, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office recovered a stolen Peterbuilt dump truck, trailer, and bobcat, which were all stolen from Ceres, California on 08-22-12. A suspect was arrested and booked into jail and he has friends in the Modesto area. The suspect in this case resides within a mile of where the low boy trailer was stolen from. If you have any questions, feel free to call me. Deputy G.W.Hessling #1687 Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office South County Patrol Rural Crime Deputy (408) 686-3650 Office (408) 421-6746 Cell email address: george.hessling@sheriff.sccgov.org ____________________________________________________________________________________

LOCATED TRAILER

On Wednesday August 22, 2012 this trailer was located during a search of a residence in Corcoran. The owners of the residence claimed they did not know who it belonged to. They were very nervous and have been found in possession of illegal items in the past. The trailer appeared to be outfitted for a welding rig and generator. All VIN numbers have been grinded off. Anyone with information regarding the trailer please contact Sgt. John Harris at the Corcoran Police Department 559-469-7248 or 559-992-5151.

Fresno County Sheriff’s Office __ Margaret Mims, Sheriff 8/22/12

B.O.L. STOLEN TRACTORS

______________________________________________________________ Please contact ASAP should following arrive at your business: ON 8/20/12 TWO KUBOTA L3200 TRACTORS WERE REPORTED STOLEN 2JP64286 AND 3JP64462 (F.S.O. #12-15588) THEY ARE ONLY 2 MONTHS OLD AND LOOK JUST LIK E THE PHOTO ABOVE. THEY HAD THE KEYS IN THEM AND WERE DRIVEN ONTO A FLATBED TRAILER. IF LOC ATED PLEASE CONTACT THE F.S.O. AG UNIT.

Thank you for your consideration on this matter. I f you have any information regarding this property, please contact Det. Kirby Alstrom, Det. Andrew Veneman or Sergeant Michael Chapman at (559) 898-0667or 24-Hou r contact (559) 488-3111. _______________________________________________________________________________________

1731 East Roseville Pkwy, #190

Roseville, CA 95661 916-781-2100

AG ALERT B.O.L Madera County CASE# 12-3757 STOLEN: 2011 Honda TRX250 ATV – Red in color VIN: 1HFTE210674700476 – LIC# T39 U91

PHOTO IS OF A SIMILAR ATV.

It was stolen between 8/1712 and 8/18/2012 from owner’s property in the area of Ave. 24, West of Chowchilla, CA, sometime overnight. Any information please contact the Madera County Sheriff’s office at (559) 675-7770 or Zenith Insurance (916)781-2100. Please report any and all activity that makes you suspicious. Zenith Agribusiness Solutions Dave Bente Material Damage Claim Specialist Office (877)581-8237 x2153 or Cell (559) 999-0091

AG ALERT B.O.L CASE# 12-20477 STOLEN: JOHN DEERE TRACTOR YEAR: 1997 MODEL: 770 COLOR: TYPICAL JOHN DEERE GREEN Serial# : M00770A161076 OAN# : CA0394067L

SIMILAR TO THIS ONE, EXCEPT FOR COMPANY NUMBER IN WHITE LETTERING IS 701 NOT 708. The California owner applied (OAN) number is also stamped (CA0394067L)

It was reported stolen in the early morning hours of 08-09-12 from the area of Jack tone Rd and Mariposa Rd, Stockton (Collegeville). It also had the California owner applied (OAN) number stamped on it. There should be a white 701 number on the side of the tractor. **Do not only use 701 numbers for identification as thieves can easily remove them. ** Any information please contact the Sheriffs office day, or night (209) 468-4400

Please report any and all activity that makes you suspicious. For non-emergency reports 24 hours a day, you can call (209) 468-4400. In the event of emergency call 911.

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY SHERIFF Rural Crimes Task Force Det. L. Victoria Det. D. Levin 7000 Michael N. Canlis Blvd

French Camp, CA 95231

(209) 468-4425 Fax (209) 468-4380

lvictoria@sjgov.org