News

One in Custody Following Homicide in Madera County

MADERA - Madera County Sheriff’s Detectives are investigating the murder of 53-year-old Hortencia Arambula. Ms. Arambula was reported missing by family members around 5:45 pm on March 2, 2021, after they were unable to reach her for several days. Deputies responded to the residence, in the 16000 block of Road 28 1/2 in Madera County, and were unable to locate Ms. Arambula, her vehicle, or her adult son, who also lived at the residence.

Around 1:50 am on March 3, the Madera County Sheriff’s Communications Center received a call reporting the discovery of Hortencia’s remains. Her husband, who had been out of town for work, returned to their home and found her partially concealed remains in the backyard of their property.

FAX Temporarily Suspending Fares - Ride for Free, but Stay COVID-safe

FRESNO - Effective Monday, March 1, 2021, Fresno Area Express (FAX) will provide free rides on its fixed route and Handy Ride paratransit vehicles. This temporary fare-free service was approved by the Fresno City Council on February 18, 2021, to assist passengers experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All passengers and bus drivers are required to wear masks. Due to social distancing requirements to help prevent the spread of COVID, seating is limited to 10 passengers per fixed route vehicle and 3 passengers per Handy Ride vehicle.

Clovis Community College Second in Country with With The Best Laptop Loaner Program

LEHI, Utah - My College Laptop, an education resource website that advocates for technology immersion in colleges believe technology has been unfairly vilified as the driver of income inequality. The Pew Research Center recently highlighted the technology gap, particularly access to technology by low-income Americans, as a key driver of income inequality

Studies by K-12 education researchers at Michigan State University demonstrate positive student outcomes of 1:1 laptop programs, teacher training programs and technology immersion programs.

Mendota Man Indicted for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon in Aid of Racketeering

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Oscar Armando Orellana Guevara, 23, of Mendota, charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on Aug. 28, 2020, Guevara and others assaulted a man by punching, kicking, and stabbing him with a straight-blade knife. They stabbed him in his chest, thigh, abdomen, and arm. During the confrontation, Guevara announced the group’s affiliation with Mara Salvatrucha or MS-13 and threatened to kill him and a companion. The assault occurred in and around an area of Mendota over which MS-13 claims control, and before assaulting him, Guevara and others told the victim he could not be there.

Fresno Man Is Indicted for Federal Firearms Offenses for Third Time

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Wendell Ladell Lafrance Moton, 30, of Fresno, charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on Feb. 11, Moton was in possession of an assault rifle without serial numbers that had a partially loaded 200‑round magazine attached. In 2009, Moton was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon, not a firearm, and in 2012 and 2014, was convicted in federal court for being a felon in possession of ammunition or a firearm.

One Arrested, One Outstanding, Following Commercial Burglary in Coarsegold

COARSEGOLD - On 02/17/2021 Madera County Sheriff's deputies responded to the Valero gas station in Coarsegold following a report of commercial burglary. While on the scene, they discovered the suspect's forced entry into the business and stole alcohol, cigarettes, and lottery tickets. Video surveillance from the store showed two suspects forcing entry inside and leaving the location in a U-Haul rental box truck.

During the course of the investigation, Madera County Sheriff’s Detective Robertson responded to several Fresno area stores where the stolen lottery tickets had been cashed. Video surveillance at these businesses confirmed that one of the suspects seen on surveillance at the Valero was cashing the stolen lottery tickets.

The suspect was later identified as Ryan Anthony Clowers, a 27-year-old Fresno resident, who is on active parole for felony burglary. During a subsequent parole search of Clower’s residence, detectives located some of the stolen items from the burglary at Valero.

Clowers was arrested and booked at the Madera County Department of Corrections on multiple felony charges including burglary, vandalism, and committing a felony while out on bail.

The second suspect, an unknown Hispanic male adult, remains outstanding. Stills from the surveillance video are included with this release. Anyone with information regarding this case or the identity of the subject in the video is encouraged to contact Detective Robertson at (559) 675-7770.

Two Fresno Juveniles Charged with Human Trafficking of another Juvenile

FRESNO - On Friday, August 28, 2020, agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security received a tip regarding possible prostitution of a young female taking place in the area of Belmont and First. DHS agents quickly responded to the area and observed a female near Belmont and Second Street.

This female was then seen getting into a vehicle occupied by two other juveniles. DHS agents contacted the occupants of the vehicle to check on the welfare of the young female. The agents then requested assistance from the Fresno Police Department. Vice Unit detectives responded to the location and took over the investigation.