Location: Ledbetter Park

Incident Date: 3/23/24

Incident Time: 1500

City: Cutler

Posted by: Media Relations

Update:

TCSO Detectives Nab Armed Robbery and Stabbing Suspect in Cutler

Following the stabbing at Ledbetter Park on 3/23/24, Detectives identified 29-year-old Joel Ortega, Jr., of Cutler as the stabbing suspect. At around 11 a.m. on 3/25/24, Detectives searched the Cutler/Orosi area and located the suspect in his vehicle. They arrested Ortega, Jr., without incident and he was booked at the Adult Pre-Trial Facility on charges of Robbery and Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

The 22-year-old male victim has been released from the hospital.

Anyone with further information about this case is encouraged to contact Sergeant John Nicholson, Detective Jeremy Gates, or Detective Corey Sailer at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 559-733-6218 or anonymously through the Sheriff’s TipNow Program at 559-725-4194 or tcso@tipnow.com

Original Post:

Deputies Search for Man Who Stabbed and Robbed Another Man in Cutler

At around 3 p.m. on 3/23/24, deputies responded to a report of an armed robbery resulting in a stabbing. Upon arrival, deputies learned that a 22-year-old man had been stabbed multiple times at Ledbetter Park while the suspect stole his cell phone.

The victim was transported to the hospital and is currently in stable condition. The suspect is outstanding and deputies are searching for him.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Sergeant Randy Gunderman, Detective Jeremy Gates, or Detective Cory Sailor at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 559-733-6218 or anonymously through the Sheriff’s TipNow Program at 559-725-4194 or tcso@tipnow.com.