Location: Ducor Handy Market/ 800 block of Maria Way in Delano

Incident Date: 12-2-18/ 4-25-19

Case Number: 18-15392

City: Ducor/ Delano

Posted by: Media Relations

On 12-2-18 around 3:42 a.m., Deputies from Porterville Sheriff’s Substation were called to the Ducor Handy Market at Avenue 56 and Highway 65.  When they arrived, Deputies made contact with a woman who was crying and said someone driving a pickup rammed into her car several times while she was on her way to Porterville from Delano.  The victim said she lost control of her car because of the ramming, and while she was stopped, a man got out of the pickup and tried to get into her car by pulling on the driver’s door.  At one point, he used a hammer to smash the window and ended up cutting himself.  The victim was able to speed away before the suspect could get to her. During the investigation, Deputies found blood on the car, which was consistent with information provided by the victim. 

Detectives from the Property Crimes Unit took over the investigation and sent the blood samples to the Department of Justice for testing.  As a result of the testing, an investigative lead was developed.

On 4-25-19, Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office and Officers from the Delano Police Department executed a search warrant at a home in the 1110 block of Freemont Street in Delano. Detectives developed information at this home, which led them to a second home in the 800 block of Maria Way, where they contacted 40-year-old Silvestre Zavala Pimentel.  Detectives were given permission to search the home and interviewed Pimentel.  Ultimately, they determined he was the man responsible for the attack in this case and arrested him.  Pimentel was booked at the Adult Pre-Trial Facility in Visalia without incident.  

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Detective Scott O’Neill at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-808-0488 or anonymously at tcso@tipnow.com or by text or voicemail at #559-725-4194.