Incident Date: 1-12-14
Posted by: Media Relations
UPDATE:
In addition to the details released prior regarding cases 14-14268 and 14-14269, a large caliber handgun was recovered at the scene of the second collision. As a result of that collision, the suspect Mario Hernandez Gomez sustained minor injuries that were treated prior to his being booked into the Adult Pre Trial Facility. He was booked with the following charges:
PC 664/187 – Attempted Homicide of a Peace Officer
PC 245 – Assault with a Firearm
PC 207 – Kidnapping
PC 211 – Robbery
PC 69 – Obstruction of an Officer with threats of violence
PC 3056 – Felony Violation of Parole
PC 215 – Carjacking
PC 417 – Evading an Officer
PC – 29900 Felony Possession of a Firearm
PC 25850 – Possession of a Loaded Firearm in Public
PC 246 – Discharge of a Firearm with Gross Negligence
PC 148 – Resisting an Peace Officer
PC 422 – Criminal Threats
During the course of the pursuit, Sheriff’s Deputies were assisted by Porterville Police Officers as the pursuit neared the Porterville area. They also assisted in the detention and arrest of the suspect. Sheriff Boudreaux and his staff would like to thank Porterville Police Department, as well as the California Highway Patrol, for their assistance during this incident as well as the investigation that follows.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the department using our anonymous tip service TipNow by calling or texting 559-725-4194 or emailing tcso@tipnow.com or calling us at 559-733-6218 or toll free at 1-800-808-0488
ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE:
Charges: Car Jacking, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Attempted Homicide upon a Peace Officer.
Case #'s 14-14268 and 14-14269
On Wednesday, 11-12-14 at about 10:29 pm, Deputies from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department Porterville Substation were dispatched to the 9300 block of Road 236 Terra Bella for a report of a disturbance in progress with weapons. Upon the deputies arrival they learned the suspect, later identified as Mario Hernandez Gomez 25 years, had already left the scene. As deputies were checking the area in the 23700 block of Avenue 95 Terra Bella, they made contact with a 34 year old male in an alleyway stating he had just been the victim of a carjacking at gunpoint by suspect Gomez.
As deputies were investigating each scene, the victim’s stolen vehicle was observed on Highway 65 near Teapot Dome Road Porterville. Deputies attempted to stop the stolen vehicle, but it failed to yield and exited Highway 65 and entered eastbound Highway 190. The pursuit continued eastbound Highway 190 and the sole occupant of the vehicle, again identified as suspect Gomez, brandished and discharged a firearm at the lead pursuing deputy on Highway 190 near Martin Street Porterville, which resulted in the deputy having a single vehicle traffic collision. Aid was immediately rendered to the deputy, while patrol pursued suspect Gomez to the area of Drive 265 and Worth near the entrance of the Porterville Developmental Center. Suspect Gomez then lost control of the vehicle at this location and had a single vehicle collision. Suspect Gomez was then taken into custody by deputies with assistance from the Porterville Police Department and booked into the Sheriff’s Porterville Substation. Sheriff’s Detectives assumed the investigation and the case remains under investigation. The deputy involved in the vehicle crash was treated and released by an area hospital. The victim of the carjacking did not receive any injuries. The victim and suspect Gomez are from the Terra Bella area.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department at (559) 735-1900 or information can remain anonymous through tcso@tipnow.com