Location: Road 236/Ave 198

Incident Date: 8-25-15

Incident Time: 1415

Case Number: 15-10667

Victim: State of California

City: Strathmore

Posted by: Media Relations

Suspects:
Jose Antonio Gomez 8/11/1995 375 S. Jaye St. Porterville, Ca. 93257
Jose Ignacio Hernandez 12/11/1993  23710 Ave 93 #2 Terra Bella, Ca. 93270
Fernando Gomez Sandoval 11/1/1994 375 S. Jaye St. Porterville, Ca. 93257
16 year old Juvenile out of Terra Bella
17 year old juvenile out of Terra Bella

Narrative:
On 8/25/2015 at approximately 1415 hours, Tulare County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the area of Road 236 and Avenue 196 in Strathmore in regards to an armed robbery report. The suspect entered a local business, brandished a handgun, and demanded money and merchandise. The suspect fled on foot last seen walking east on Bruce St. in Strathmore. The suspect was described as a male Hispanic approximately 20 years old wearing jean shorts and a black t-shirt. While checking the area for the suspect, Deputies located a Hispanic male subject wearing jean shorts and a black t-shirt in the area of Road 231 and Avenue 198. The subject entered a white four-door sedan occupied by four additions subjects. The vehicle quickly drove north on Road 231 and turned west on Avenue 198. Deputies followed the vehicle waiting for it leave the area of the Strathmore Elementary School before conducting a traffic stop. The vehicle quickly turned and entered the south parking lot of the elementary school and parked in a far west parking spot. Before the vehicle came to a complete stop, Gomez quickly exited the vehicle and began running west toward the school. Deputies observed him remove a handgun from his waistband and throw it on the ground approximately 10 yards south of the school's south lawn area. Deputies immediately contacted TCSO Dispatch and requested the elementary school and middle school in the area be placed on lock down. Moments later, Deputies could hear the safety announcements on the school's intercom system being broadcast on the school grounds. Deputies quickly established a perimeter around the school and pursued Gomez on foot. Gomez entered the school grounds and attempted to enter one classroom which had been locked by school staff after the announcements. Gomez continued running west on Avenue 200 and eventually entered Strathmore Middle School grounds where he was taken into custody by Deputies on the south side of the school cafeteria.

Gomez was booked at the Pre-Trial facility for possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number, and possession of a firearm in a school zone. The other four occupants of the vehicle were also booked on various charges including violation of probation.