Location: Highway 99 and Avenue 328

Incident Date: 5-16-22

Incident Time: 0930HRS

Posted by: Media Relations

Around 9:30 a.m. on 5/15/22, TCSO Deputies were helping CHP Officers track down a suspect who had fled from them during a traffic stop in the area of Highway 99 and Avenue 328.

When Deputies caught up to the suspect, he led them on a chase. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Daniel Mere Saldana of Merced, made it to Highway 99 and tried to carjack several vehicles using a handgun. Saldana continued to run away from Deputies while holding a gun. Deputies managed to catch up to Saldana and a fight broke out. Deputies then tried to tase Saldana, but were unsuccessful. As the fight continued, Saldana managed to fire one round. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody. Thankfully no one was hit.

At the scene, Detectives found a handgun, three kilos of Cocaine, three kilos of Fentanyl, two kilos of Heroin and 512 grams of meth.

Detectives later served a warrant at Saldana’s Merced home and found additional evidence.

Saldana was arrested and faces charges of Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, Attempted Carjacking and Possession/Transportation of Narcotics.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 559-733-6218.