Three Suspects Arrested in Relation to Stabbing Incident in Porterville
PORTERVILLE, CA —
“Incident:
Attempted Murder
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Date/Time: August 30, 2025/2:51 AM
Locations: West Street and Edison Avenue, Porterville
Suspects:
Luis Tovar, 24 year old, Plainview Resident
Carlos Garcia, 28 year old, Strathmore Resident
Lucy Ceballos, 26 year old, Strathmore Resident
Victim(s):
Confidential Victim 1
Confidential Victim 2
Summary:
On Saturday, August 30, 2025, at approximately 2:51 A.M., Porterville Police Officers were dispatched to the area of West Street and Edison Avenue regarding the report of a stabbing. Officers arrived on scene and discovered a Confidential Victim, who sustained what was believed to be a life-threatening stab wound to his chest. After the arrival of emergency medical personnel, the victim was transported to an area hospital for further treatment. Officers determined that the victim was involved in a fight that included at least four other subjects near a taco vending truck at the shoulder of the roadway. All other parties involved in the fight fled the scene before the arrival of law enforcement.
Porterville Police Detectives were summoned to the scene to assume the investigation. Detectives pursued investigative leads and identified 24-year-old Plainview resident Luis Tovar as the suspect who stabbed the victim during the fight. Detectives also ascertained that Tovar and his associate, 28-year-old Strathmore resident Carlos Garcia, were originally involved in a fight with a third male, who will be referred to as Victim 2. Detectives learned that the original victim tried to intervene in the fight on behalf of Victim 2, but was stabbed by Tovar during the ensuing altercation. Detectives also determined that Tovar, Garcia, and an unidentified female had each struck Victim 2 during the fight with a folding chair from the taco vending truck.
Based on the circumstances of the investigation, Detectives sought an arrest warrant for Tovar for Attempted Murder and Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The arrest warrant was endorsed by a Tulare County Judge, with Tovar’s bail being set at $400,000. Detectives also intensified their efforts to locate Tovar, Garcia, and the unidentified female.
On August 30, at approximately 8:45 P.M., the Porterville Police Department SWAT Team assisted Detectives with the execution of a search warrant at two residences associated with Carlos Garcia in Strathmore. Although Tovar and Garcia were not apprehended during the service of these search warrants, Detectives contacted 26-year-old Strathmore resident Lucy Ceballos at one of the residences. Detectives identified Ceballos as the female subject who struck Victim 2 with the folding chair during the fight. Ceballos was arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon. She was later booked at the TCSO South County Detention Facility, where her bail was set at $20,000.
On the afternoon of August 31, 2025, Detectives were able to contact Carlos Garcia by telephone. During the conversation, Garcia agreed to turn himself in and arrived at the Porterville Police Department soon thereafter. Detectives arrested Garcia on a charge of Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He was later booked at the TCSO South County Detention Facility, where his bail was set at $20,000.
Over the next several days, Detectives continued to pursue all available investigative leads and worked diligently to locate the outstanding suspect, Luis Tovar.
On September 4, 2025, at approximately 12:30 P.M., Tovar arrived at the Porterville Police Department to turn himself in. Detectives arrested Tovar for the arrest warrant with charges of Attempted Murder and Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Tovar was later booked at the TCSO South County Detention Facility. His bail is $400,000.
This investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Porterville Police Department at (559) 782-7400 or through our departmental Facebook page. Those who have information may also provide it anonymously. All information should be forwarded to the Special Investigations Unit.”
