Local News

Detectives Arrest 82 Year Old Man for Killing 77 Year Old Wife

CLOVIS - Homicide detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office have arrested 82 year old Kenneth Wright of Clovis. He has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on a charge of murder. His bail is set at $1 million.

During the early afternoon of March 14th, Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home on the 6700 block of N. Del Rey Ave. in Clovis for a report of a possible suicide. Inside the home, deputies found 77 year old Maradee Wright deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. Due to evidence found at the scene, deputies became skeptical this was a suicide.

Two Indicted in 45-Pound Methamphetamine Deal in Fresno County

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment Thursday against Los Angeles residents Josue Garcia-Beltran, 40, and Rafael Medina Labrada, 34, charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on February 25, 2019, the defendants were arrested delivering methamphetamine to an undercover officer in Fresno. Forty-five pounds of methamphetamine were seized during the operation.

Fresno Sheriff's K-9 Uses Helicopter to Catch Career Criminal

SQAW VALLEY - Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies have booked 29 year old Matthew Shadrick of Squaw Valley into the Fresno County Jail. He faces a new charge of resisting arrest, as well as charges attached to a warrant for burglary and being contempt of court. His total bail amount is set at $144,000.

Around 4:30 pm on March 9th, Fresno County Sheriff deputies Vito and Lord-Huff were dispatched to a check on Matthew Shadrick, who was reportedly acting bizarre. Deputies responded to the 47000 block of Creekside Road in Squaw Valley. While driving to the home, deputies discovered Shadrick had two warrants for his arrest. He was also on probation for burglary and numerous identity theft related charges.

Statewide Underage Drinking Operation Issues Nearly 400 Citations

FRESNO - On March 9th, detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Special Investigations Task Force, along with agents from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), participated in the 8th Annual Statewide Shoulder Tap Operation across Fresno County. Approximately 69 law enforcement agencies, along with dozens of ABC agents across California, participated in this operation.

Detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office issued six citations. Five citations were given to individuals and one citation was issued to a store clerk who sold alcohol to a minor. Statewide, a total of 361 citations were issued and 16 people were booked into jail for offenses related to or discovered during the operation. The alcohol purchased for the minors will be held as evidence for the misdemeanor cases, but once the case has been adjudicated, the alcohol will be destroyed.

Fresno Sheriff's Ag Task Force Investigating Series of Goat Thefts

FRESNO COUNTY - Detectives assigned to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Ag Task Force are investigating a series of goat thefts. From January 9, 2019 – March 7, 2019, there have been seven different reports of goats being stolen. A total of 61 goats, totaling $27,000 in loss, have gone missing from different private properties in the area between Easton and Riverdale. Ag Task Force detectives are also working with investigators in Kings and Tulare counties to try and generate leads in these cases.

One of the most notable cases of this series occurred during the night of Thursday, March 7th. Members of the Kingsburg 4-H club had 11 of their goats stolen from a pasture located on the 4200 block of S. Fruit Avenue in Fresno. The following weekend, the owners were able to safely recover four of their goats, which were found roaming on a roadway in Selma between Highways 41 and 43. The owners are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the safe return of their remaining seven goats.