Location: 14800 Road 168, Porterville

Incident Date: 3/27/18

Incident Time: 0213 hours

Case Number: 18-04038

Victim: T-Bar Dairy

City: Porterville

Posted by: Media Relations

On 3-27-18, Porterville Substation patrol personnel responded to the above listed location in regards to the report of a theft. Upon arrival, they were advised a former employee identified as Ruben Gonzalez entered the property after being terminated and fled the area with a Kubota RTV 900.

Patrol personnel later responded to the Poplar area where they located Gonzalez in the Kubota and attempted to apprehend him. At that time, Gonzalez was able to flee the area on foot and evade capture. The Kubota was recovered and returned to its rightful owner.  

Tulare County Sheriff’s Ag Crimes Detectives were contacted and assumed the case the following day.

Through investigation, Detectives learned Gonzalez was using false names, Social Security numbers and phone numbers. Detectives were able to confirm his true identity as Ruben Ochoa Luna.

Detectives continued their investigation and were able to locate a residence in Poplar where Luna was staying. With the assistance of Porterville patrol personnel, Luna was contacted and arrested for the above listed offense. He was booked on multiple charges of grand theft, providing false information to police and resisting arrest. This case has been submitted to the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.    

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective R. Gunderman, or Sgt. Rhyman with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Ag Crimes Investigations Unit at (559) 802-9563. They can also call 24 hours a day at (559) 733-6218 or anonymously at tcso@tipnow.com or tcso@tipnow.com.