Sheriff’s detectives search for shooting victim’s rental car and a Fresno couple

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a couple and a missing rental car in connection with the shooting death of a Fresno man on Sunday.

Raymond Islas, 22, and his girlfriend, Valerie “Nikki” Clark, 27, live in the home where 48-year-old Alphonso Durazo was found Sunday after suffering multiple gunshot wounds, according to Sheriff’s Office spokesman Tony Botti.

Detectives have talked to several renters who live at the home, but they have not found Islas and Clark. Detectives believe their statements could play an important role in the investigation, according to a news release.

Also missing is a white, 4-door 2020 Toyota Corolla that Durazo had rented, the news release said. The license plate number is 8KHH379.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Durazo was found Sunday afternoon by a man who lives in the home on the 5200 block of East Belmont Avenue. Durazo was in the garage, and was taken by EMS to Community Regional Medical Center, where he died.

The Sheriff’s Office said that Durazo used to be involved in gangs and that it appears some of the home’s tenants have active gang ties.

Detectives are asking the public to be on the lookout for Clark, Islas and the Toyota. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Jose Diaz at 559-600-8204, or to report anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867, or go to valleycrimestoppers.org.