Big Valley News
Central Valley's Independent News Source
FRESNO - On Sunday, September 30, 2018, just before midnight, the Southwest Special Response Team (SRT) received a ShotSpotter activation in the in area of Kern Street and Freeway 99. SRT officers arrived in the area within a minute and began canvassing for suspects.
While searching the immediate area in which the ShotSpotter system indicated the shots were fired officers’ contacted 40-year-old Fresno resident Juan Romo-Bais.
SACRAMENTO - U.S. District Judge Morrison C. England Jr. sentenced Derek Swede Godfrey, 49, formerly of Rocklin, to eight years and one month in prison for possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, in October 5, 2006, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Godfrey’s home in Rocklin.
On his computer, agents located more than 400 videos and 5,000 still images depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of minors. The day after, Godfrey, a youth gymnastics coach, left the United States for the Netherlands where he had dual-citizenship. On January 25, 2007, a grand jury in Sacramento indicted Godfrey, charging him with one count of possession of child pornography.
SANTA CLARA – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today announced the arrest of and charges against 17 individuals for a robbery scheme targeting Apple retail stores across California that resulted in the loss of over $1 million. The defendants are charged with entering Apple retail stores in large groups wearing hoodies and snatching products on display in a matter of seconds. The alleged crimes took place across 19 counties.
Seven adults were arrested on September 25, 2018 and booked in the Alameda County Jail. Another is currently in custody in Sonoma County. Arrest warrants have been issued for nine other suspects. The investigation is ongoing.
EL MIRAGE, ARIZONA - On September 24, 2018, Frank Gallas Mendoza was arrested by authorities in Fresno, California for the 2001 murder of El Mirage resident Richard Cacero Lucero. On December 20, 2001, El Mirage police conducted a welfare check at the residence of Richard Cacero Lucero at the request of a family friend. Officers gained entry to Lucero’s home and found him deceased.
Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) detectives were asked to take over the death investigation due to the AZDPS’ available staffing and resources. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Lucero’s death was a homicide. The case eventually went cold after AZDPS exhausted all leads and investigative techniques available at the time.
KINGSBURG - At 8:30 am on Tuesday, detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office arrested 58 year old Alan DuPras outside his home located on the 2800 block of 18th Street in Kingsburg. DuPras has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on two counts of murder, two counts of arson, a count of possession of assault weapons and a count of vandalism. His bail is set at $3.142 million.
It was around 3:30 pm on December 11th, 2017 that Fresno County Sheriff’s dispatchers received a phone call requesting deputies check the welfare of 55 year old Jennifer DuPras, who lived at a home on the 6200 block of N. Colonial Ave. in Fresno. The caller was concerned because Jennifer had missed an appointment earlier in the day.
