Suspect Apprehended by Task Force After Reported Theft from Rental Car Agency
VISALIA, CA — A 53-year-old Visalia resident was arrested following a vehicle theft report and a subsequent dispute at a rental car agency on West Airport Drive.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., Visalia Police Department officers and investigators with the Tulare County Regional Auto Theft Task Force (TRATT) responded to a report of a stolen vehicle in progress at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Authorities stated that the suspect, 53-year-old Visalia resident Brady Daniel, had previously rented a white Dodge Ram cargo van. After returning the vehicle, Daniel engaged in a financial dispute with staff regarding his contract charges. Although he handed over the physical keys, he left the engine running, re-entered the vehicle, and drove off the property.
While officers conducted their initial on-scene investigation, Daniel called the Enterprise office to state he was returning. Upon his arrival, Daniel failed to comply with verbal commands issued by the assembled officers. Following a brief standoff, law enforcement personnel took him into custody. Once secured, Daniel continued to resist instructions and verbally threatened to physically assault the handling officers.
A subsequent records check revealed that earlier in the week, Daniel had been arrested by local authorities for assault and making threats toward law enforcement officers during a separate disturbance at a local massage business.
The cargo van was located and recovered by officers in a commercial parking lot at Demaree Street and Houston Avenue. Daniel was transported and booked into the Tulare County Jail on charges of vehicle theft, resisting or obstructing an officer, and threatening an officer.
