Location: Ave 452 East of Rd 128-Orosi

Incident Date: 05-09-15

Incident Time: 1930

Case Number: 15-5856

Victim: Bailey Bros Farms

Posted by: Media Relations

Suspect Info: Howard Virgen     Age: 21     Resides in Orange Cove
                      Salvador Martinez  Age: 45    Resides in Orange Cove

On above date and time, Orosi deputies received information of a theft of fuel in progress at the above location. Upon deputies arrival the suspects had fled.  Deputies photo’d the scene, tire and shoe tracks at the location where two fuel tanks servicing two wind machines were located and approximately 30 gallons of fuel stolen. After processing the scene deputies continued their investigation with information they had received. The information led them to a suspect residence in Orange Cove where they located the suspect vehicle and one of the suspects (listed). Evidence located there showed (S) Virgen’s participation in the crime and he was booked on theft charges and conspiracy. A second suspect remains outstanding. Another subject Salvador Martinez, who arrived on scene in a vehicle, was also arrested for 148.9 PC and 14601 VC. He was also found to have an active Tulare County misdemeanor warrant. The two were taken into custody on listed charges and booked into the Tulare County Adult Pre-Trial Facility. The suspect vehicle was towed as evidence.
Follow up will be conducted by Tulare County Agriculture Crimes unit