Authorities in Tulare County have announced the arrests of three people in connection to a carjacking in Porterville earlier this month.
According to a press release by Porterville PD, a carjacking occurred on the 200 block of West Olive Avenue on May 4. The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, reported to officers that they had been flagged down by three individuals, described as one male adult and two female adults, wearing dark clothing and face masks.
The male individual allegedly displayed a handgun and demanded a ride to the west side of town. Once they reached their destination, the victim was forced out of the vehicle and left stranded.
A few days later on the morning of May 9, officers reportedly sighted the stolen vehicle in the area of Leggett Street and Putnam Avenue. After briefly losing the vehicle, they located it parked at a nearby apartment complex. Officers established a perimeter and apprehended the driver, identified as 36-year-old Adam Ibarra, as he allegedly attempted to flee on foot.
Two women, Jasmin Teran (22) and Harley Champion (29), who were present at Ibarra’s residence, were also detained without incident.
Detectives responded to the residence to take over the investigation.
During the execution of a search warrant at Ibarra’s residence and the stolen vehicle, detectives discovered a ghost gun loaded with a 31-round high-capacity magazine, along with additional evidence related to the carjacking, police said.
Based on the evidence gathered, detectives determined that the three individuals were connected to the carjacking and also had affiliations with a criminal street gang.
Adam Ibarra, the alleged driver of the stolen vehicle, has been arrested and booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office South County Detention Facility on suspicion of carjacking, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit a felony, gang enhancement, possession of a firearm, possession of a high-capacity magazine, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, and an active warrant for a previous firearm-related offense. Bail has been set at $150,000.
Harley Champion and Jasmin Teran, alleged accomplices in the carjacking, have also been arrested and booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office South County Detention Facility on suspicion of carjacking, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit a felony, and gang enhancement. Bail has been set at $100,000 for each of them.
The Porterville Police Department is encouraging anyone with information about this investigation or any other criminal street gang activity to contact them at (559) 782-7400 or through their departmental Facebook page. Anonymous information can also be provided.
