Location: Johnston and Quinto Court in Cutler

Incident Date: 09-01-18

Case Number: 18-11505

City: Cutler

Posted by: Media Relations

Suspected Gang Member Leads Deputies on Chase, Throws Stolen Gun out of Car & Crashes into Backyard Fence

On September 1, 2018, Detectives with TAGNET (Tulare Area Gang & Narcotic Enforcement Team) tried to stop a car in the area of Rd 128 and Ave 403 in Cutler. The driver of the car would not stop and immediately side-swiped another car as it tried to drive away. The vehicle continued for a short distance and wrecked into a backyard fence at a home in the area of Johnston and Quinto Court.

The driver then got out of the car and tried to run away. Detectives responded to the area and were able to catch the suspect as he ran off. He was identified as Joshua Luevanos, 20 years old.

During the investigation, Detectives found a stolen handgun in the roadway and learned Luevanos had thrown it out the car during the car chase.

Luevanos is a suspected gang member and was booked at the Adult Pre-Trial Facility on charges of Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Gang Member in Possession of a Firearm, Felony Evading and Felony Hit and Run. There were no injuries as a result of the traffic accidents.

This case remains under investigation and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6211 or anonymous information about this incident can be reported via Tipnow email: tcso@tipnow.net text or voicemail at 559-725-4194 or download the Tipnow app for Android or Apple phones.