City: Orosi

Posted by: Media Relations

UPDATE: Arrest Made in Three Big B’s Gas Station Armed Robberies

On 02/10/24, TCSO Detectives tracked down the last suspect in a string of armed robberies at the Big B’s Gas Stations at Highway 99 and Avenue 16 and Highway 99 and Avenue 56 in Earlimart. Detectives found 19-year-old Santos Carranza hiding at a home in Earlimart, where a search warrant was served. Carranza was taken into custody. An unregistered gun was also as seized.

On 1/31/24, Detectives and SWAT Team members arrested three adults and one child for their involvement in the robberies and charged them with Armed Robbery, Auto Theft, Arson and Gang Enhancement.

Anyone with more information about this case is encouraged to contact Detective Anthony Luckey or Sergeant Dan Balderas with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office at (559) 733-6218 or they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559)725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com.

ORIGINAL POST:

Just before 8 p.m. on 04/28/2023, TCSO Deputies were called to the Valero Gas Station in Orosi for a shooting. The victim told Deputies, a man in all black clothing, wearing a ski mask, ran up to him and shot him. During the investigation, TAGNET Detectives identified 21-year-old Andres Castillo and 19-year-old Jose Armas as the suspects. On 4/29/2023, Castillo was found and arrested for attempted murder. However, Armas ran away from the area and had been on the run since.

On 09/16/2023, Deputies were called to a report of shots-fired in Ivanhoe. Deputies arrived and found the victim, a dropout gang member, with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a local hospital and later released. Detectives identified the suspect vehicle in the Ivanhoe shooting as being taken during an armed carjacking in Porterville just prior to the shooting. The vehicle was later found, and Detectives tracked down surveillance video showing Jose Armas inside of the car. The gun used in the Ivanhoe shooting was also found in the vehicle.

On 09/27/2023, Detectives arrested Armas at a home in the 12800 block of Avenue 412 in Orosi. Detectives also found an AR-15-style assault rifle at the home. Armas was booked on two counts of attempted murder and gang enhancement.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective O. Sanchez and Detective M. Morales with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office at (559)733-6218. Or, they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559)725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com