Stolen Vehicle Recovery System Assets in Capture of Auto Theft Suspects
Photo: Andres Garcia
A 1993 Jeep Cherokee was reported stolen in Porterville the day of May 4, 2020. That night, the Jeep’s stolen vehicle recovery system alerted Porterville Police officers the car was near Morton Avenue and Hawaii Street. Officers spotted the car moments later, heading westbound on Morton Avenue from Villa Street.
Alberto Valdez
Before officers could initiate a traffic stop, the driver turned into the Motel 6 parking lot on West Morton. Knowing they had been spotted, the car’s three occupants fled on foot. One suspect evaded capture.
The driver, 18-year old Alberto Valdez, was detained immediately. Passenger Andres Garcia, 35, was arrested after a short foot pursuit.
Valdez, who less than a week prior to this incident was arrested in Porterville for possession of another stolen vehicle, was once again booked, this time for burglary during a state of emergency, possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property, purchasing or receipt of a stolen vehicle, unlawful driving or taking of a vehicle, and custodial institutional burglary.
His bail is set at $50,000. He remains in custody at the Tulare County Sheriff’s South County Detention Facility as of the time of this writing
Garcia, who was found with methamphetamine and paraphernalia on his person, was also booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s South County Detention Facility.
He could be charged with grand theft during a state of emergency, auto theft, resisting or delaying a peace officer, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of paraphernalia. His bail was set at $130,000.
Photos from the Porterville Police Department
