Location: Highway 99/Armstrong, Earlimart

Incident Date: 01-30-2016

Incident Time: 0126 Hrs

Case Number: 16-01248

Victim: State of California

City: Earlimart

Posted by: Dispatch

On 1/30/2016, Deputies conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle. Upon walking up to the vehicle, a large fixed blade knife was observed on the passenger rear floor board. The driver, Daniel Melgoza, 25 years of age, displayed symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance.

He was taken into custody for the above charges and the vehicle was towed. A passenger identified as 41 year old Andy Ontiveros was evaluated and also found to be under the influence of a controlled substance.  

Prior to tow, an inventory check was conducted of the vehicle. An additional large fixed blade knife was located concealed in between the driver and passenger seat of the vehicle. The driver claimed ownership of the knives. Both suspects were booked at the Porterville Substation with no further incident.

The case is under investigation and anyone with information is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department via telephone at #1-800-808-0488 or anonymously at tcso@tipnow.com or by text or voicemail at #559-725-4194.