They brought a baby to a gas station robbery in Ducor, followed by a police pursuit

An 8-month-old boy was placed with the Child Welfare Service after three suspects took the baby along with them to an armed robbery at a Shell gas station in Ducor on Thursday.

An armed suspect went into the gas station in the 23000 block of Avenue 56, east of Highway 65, around 10 a.m. The robber left with an undisclosed amount of cash and jumped into a vehicle, which contained two others and a baby, parked outside the business. Authorities were notified and the owner of the business then followed the suspect’s vehicle.

Sheriff’s deputies caught up to the vehicle after it become stuck in a tree orchard near Road 192 and Avenue 32, near Earlimart. One suspect got away, however Freddy Perez, also known as Freddie Rosales, 23, and Donelle Luthultz, 19, were caught with the baby when they attempted to run off.

Perez and Luthultz were both in care of the child before the robbery. They were booked into the Adult Pre-Trial Facility. Both face charges of robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime, child endangerment and evading law enforcement. Perez also was in violation of his state parole.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 559-733-6218. You can also send anonymous information by text to TCSO@tipnow.com or call 559-725-4194.

This story was originally published June 3, 2017 at 12:11 PM with the headline "They brought a baby to a gas station robbery in Ducor, followed by a police pursuit."