Briefs: Delhi man sought in teen's stabbing

Published online on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009

Merced County sheriff's deputies are looking for a 21-year-old Delhi man in connection with the stabbing of a 15-year-old boy Monday in Delhi.

The suspect also faces possible weapons charges.

Deputies served a warrant in the 9000 block of Donovan Street in Delhi on Tuesday and seized two shotguns, a handgun and an assault weapon. A sheriff's spokesman said some family members lied about the man's identity and may face charges.

Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to call detective Alex Barba at (209) 385-7660.

Boy robbed at NW Fresno bus stop

A 13-year-old was robbed at a bus stop this morning in northwest Fresno, police reported.

The boy said he was at the stop near Shaw and Marks avenues about 6:30 a.m. when two men wearing hoods forced him to turn over cash and an iPod. He returned home and his mother contacted police.

The boy said the men fled in a black car that looked like a Camaro. Officers are searching for the vehicle.

Occupied car shot at in NE Fresno

Fresno police searched Tuesday night for a gunman who shot up a car with a couple and their 2-year-old boy inside.

The shooting happened on Champlain Avenue at Fox Hill Drive in northeast Fresno shortly before 10 p.m.

Lt. Mark Salazar said the couple told police that they had just left a shopping center when a black car pulled alongside their car and started shooting. Gunfire struck the victims' car, but not them, Salazar said. The couple then drove to Blackstone and Nees avenues, where they called police.

The man suffered cuts from broken glass from the driver's side window. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment. A motive for the shooting was not immediately known, Salazar said.

Body found along San Joaquin River

The body of a decomposed, naked man was discovered Tuesday afternoon along the San Joaquin River near Riverside Golf Course in Fresno.

The victim's name and cause of death were not immediately known, said police spokeswoman Cynthia Valdez. Police are treating the death as suspicious, she said.

Hikers found the body along the river bank, Valdez said. Police don't know how long the body had been there, she said.

Fresnan held after chase of stolen truck

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims announced Tuesday the arrest of a 45-year-old Fresno man who led deputies on a vehicle pursuit.

Sunday afternoon, deputies responded to a report of a stolen white pickup on the 5000 block of East Sussex Avenue. They found the truck at Shields and Armstrong avenues and tried to pull it over, but the driver would not stop.

Deputies chased the truck for several minutes while the driver ran over curbs and medians before nearly crashing into a deputy's car. He then stopped the truck at Pearwood and Simpson and ran.

Deputies and Clovis police officers eventually caught up to the man, who was on parole for possession of stolen property. Authorities recovered several stolen items in the truck bed and took the man to Fresno County Jail. He is charged with vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, evading arrest and parole violations.

Deputies investigate Strathmore shooting

Tulare County deputies are investigating an apparent drive-by shooting Monday night in Strathmore.

Deputies went to the 22900 block of Bruce Avenue about 7:30 p.m., where they found a small amount of blood, live ammunition and empty shell casings. No victims were found.

Vandals damage tools near Visalia

Vandals caused an estimated $2,000 in damage to agricultural equipment Monday evening at Paramount Citrus near Visalia, the Tulare County Sheriff's Department reported.

The case is under investigation.

Fire

Fire damages Fresno Burger King

A fire Monday night damaged the Burger King at Cedar and Herndon avenues in northeast Fresno.

Workers fled the restaurant when they smelled smoke and saw flames coming from the roof, said Chuck Tobias, a battalion chief with the Fresno Fire Department.

About 35 firefighters responded to the 11:53 p.m. blaze, which started in the broiler vent, Tobias said. Because of the quick response, damage was limited, he said.

Also ...

PAL Tae Kwon Do team wins awards

The Fresno Police Activities League Tae Kwon Do Team took fourth place overall Saturday at the U.S. Tae Kwon Do Junior National Competition in Anaheim.

Each of the 10 students representing Fresno won at least one award. Seven students took home gold medals; three received silver medals; and seven received bronze medals.

The team consisted of: Nicholas Beyersdorf, 11; Edgar Pedraza, 15; Monserrat Pedraza, 10; Andrew Vang, 12; Carylin Vang, 10; Chengmeng Vang, 15; Jet Vang, 13; Jimmy Xiong, 8; William Vang, 10, and Joel Pedraza, 11.

Kinoshita named to Tulare County post

Marilyn Kinoshita has been appointed assistant agricultural commissioner/sealer in Tulare County.

She will assume office following the retirement of Bill Appleby, who is stepping down Friday after more than 36 years of service to the county, said Gary Kunkel, agricultural commissioner/sealer. Kinoshita has been deputy commissioner/sealer.