Incident Date: 7-29-22

City: Earlimart

Posted by: Media Relations

Less than 24 hours after the robbery, TCSO Detectives identified the suspects involved in the armed robbery at the Valero gas station in Earlimart. Detectives and SWAT personnel conducted search warrants at two homes. 

30-year-old Yovani Lombara and 36-year-old Esteban Gutierrez-Ayala were arrested for their involvement in the robbery. Detectives seized a shotgun, two semi-automatic handguns, an AK-47, an AR-15 style rifle, ammunition, approximately $5,000 in cash, and approximately 17 pounds of processed marijuana.

This is still an active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Detective Emanuel Garcia, Detective Michael McCaskill, or Sergeant Daniel Balderas with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office General Investigations Unit at (559) 733-6218 or they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559) 725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com