Local News

Law Enforcement Agencies Collaborate During 70 Mile Long Pursuit to Capture Burglars

COALINGA - Property crimes detectives have arrested 25 year old Shannon Peterson of Opa-locka, Florida and 30 year old Laresha Brown of Oakland, California. Peterson faces multiple felony charges of burglary. His bail was set at $25,000 and he has since bonded out of jail. Brown faces multiple felony charges of burglary, as well as evading police and probation violation. Her bail is $76,000. However, she is not eligible to bail out on her probation hold. Brown is currently under Post-Release Community Supervision, which is part of AB 109. She has a prior conviction for evading police.

Around 6:00 pm on Monday, Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of vehicles that had been broken into in the parking lot of the Harris Ranch Inn near Interstate 5 and W. Dorris Ave. in Coalinga. Deputies learned that the burglary happened while the victims were eating at the restaurant. A window had been broken and several electronic items and pieces of luggage had been taken. While conducting an investigation, deputies learned of another vehicle that had been burglarized. Luggage was stolen from that vehicle as well.

Reported Fresno Attempted Child Abduction Bogus

FRESNO - Fresno Police Officers were dispatched to Harvest Elementary School Wedsnesday morning in regard to a report of an attempt abduction of a 6 year old female. Officers and detectives arrived at the school and questioned the six year old juvenile along with four other witnesses.

According to the parties, the juvenile victim and her 4 sisters were walking to school in the area of Forestiere and west Dakota Ave when they approached a white male near a parked vehicle. According to the six-year old, the male grabbed her wrist and jacket and attempted to pull her into the vehicle. Witnesses indicated a sister of the victim ran over to the male and stomped his foot. The caused the male to release the six-year old at which point all the juveniles ran from the area. The juveniles reported this incident to school personnel upon their arrival.

Sacramento Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Buying Children and Other Child Exploitation Crimes

SACRAMENTO - Michael Carey Clemans, 57, of Sacramento, was sentenced today to life in prison for buying children, attempted travel and travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, conspiracy to travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, conspiracy to produce child pornography, attempted production and production of child pornography, and receipt of child pornography.

This case is the latest in a multi-year trend of child exploitation prosecutions focusing on defendants with prior sex offenses and those who abuse and record the sexual abuse of children. U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Spradlin, Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones, Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, and Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims joined forces today to highlight their sustained and collaborative efforts to identify and vigorously prosecute those who exploit and abuse children and trade in images depicting the sexual abuse of children.

30 Year Celebration Concludes with Biggest Promotion in the History of Table Mountain

FRIANT - Table Mountain Casino celebrated its 30^th Anniversary all throughout 2017, and what a celebration it was. A favorite entertainment destination for locals and visitors alike, Table Mountain Casino is located just a few minutes north of Fresno, CA in the neighboring community of Friant. Owned and operated by the Table Mountain Rancheria of California, the Tribe has been an integral part of Fresno County since long before the County was established over 150 years ago.

Table Mountain first opened its doors as a small bingo establishment in 1987. The little bingo hall immediately became a fun place to play and win. Since that time and with the enduring support of the surrounding community, Table Mountain Casino has flourished and grown from that little bingo hall into a popular entertainment destination.

Arrest Made in Armed Robberies of Local Pharmacies

FRESNO - On January 15, 2018, at approximately 7:30 am, an African American male attempted to break into the rear metal security door of the Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy located at 219 East Olive Avenue. He was wearing a red jacket, bald, heavyset, and looking into the camera just prior to removing it from the outside of the business. His image was captured on video.

Later that morning, at approximately 11:14 am, the same suspect went to the Vista Pharmacy, located at 4233 E. Tulare St. He walked behind the counter and was confronted by the pharmacy technician who told him he wasn’t allowed there and that he needed to leave. The suspect took several bottles of promethazine from the shelves and forcefully pushed the technician to the ground causing her to strike her head and sustain major injuries. The suspect fled out the door and was seen leaving the area in a dark colored vehicle.