Location: 1200 Block East Cannon

Incident Date: 4/12/23

City: Earlimart

Posted by: Media Relations

TCSO Detectives Find Loaded Gun inside Cereal Box, Drugs & More Inside Earlimart Home with Kids

On 4/12/23, TCSO SWAT Detectives served a Search Warrant and Arrest Warrants at a home on the 1200 Block of East Cannon in Earlimart related to an Armed Robbery Investigation.  During the warrant, Detectives arrested 23-year-old Alexander Torres and 19-year-old Angel Pena for their involvement in an armed robbery and Assault with a Deadly Weapon in Earlimart on April 5th 2023. During the incident, the victim was robbed of his wallet at gunpoint and then pistol-whipped in the head multiple times. The third suspect, 24-year-old Michael Flores was not home, but was later arrested in Porterville. During the warrant, Detectives found a loaded gun hidden in a cereal box in the kitchen, as well as and meth packaged for sale and sales ledgers inside the bedroom of 46-year-old Linda Blair and 52-year-old Raul Esparza. Their daughter, 21-year-old Sabrina Esparza, shared a room with the robbery suspect, Alexander Torres, and their two-year-old child. Torres and Sabrina Esparza were also charged with Possession of Methamphetamine for Sale, Possession of a sawed-off shotgun and Child Endangerment. The two-year-old was placed into protective custody. Two more children of Linda and Raul, ages 11 and 17, were also placed into protective custody. All six adults were booked into the South County Detention Facility.

Anyone with additional information  is encouraged to contact Detective Corey Sailer or Sergeant Daniel Balderas with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office at (559) 733-6218. Or, they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559)725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com.