Man who allegedly robbed and shot taco trucks in Fresno caught. How police chase ended
.jpeg "Officers arrested a man who allegedly committed three robbery at three taco trucks in Fresno, California on Saturday, April 2, 2022. The man led officers on a pursuit to a Clovis neighborhood.")
A 35-year-old man whom police believe is responsible for a series of taco truck robberies in Fresno was taken into custody Saturday night after leading officers on a high-speed chase that ended in Clovis.
Oscar Ray Irwin was arrested and booked into Fresno County Jail early Sunday morning on seven felony charges and one misdemeanor after he was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
There are three felony charges of assault with a firearm, two of attempted robbery, one of robbery and one of evading a peace officer. The misdemeanor is for obstructing a public officer.
Fresno Police said they were told by witnesses that the man shot into a taco truck as part of his latest robbery attempt. That shooting occurred at the 2400 block of East Olive Avenue. Witnesses told police the man approached a taco truck with two people inside and shot at the vehicle, Lt. Brian Valles said.
No one was injured in the shooting, Valles added.
An officer arriving to investigate the shooting saw a vehicle that matched a description of the suspect’s getaway car.
Officers approached the vehicle, which then led to a police chase toward Claremont and Norwich avenues. Eventually, the suspect’s vehicle became disabled after the man hit a curb and flattened all four tires, police said.
The man was taken into custody after a police dog and a taser were deployed on him.
A Fresno PD helicopter and the Clovis Police assisted in the suspect pursuit.
Fresno Police said the man allegedly committed another robbery at a taco truck at Cedar and Thomas avenues, and possibly at Olive and Marks avenues. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office will investigate the robbery at Marks, Valles said.
“Very disturbing,” Valles said. “This individual obviously had an MO and that’s what his target was going to be today. With that being said, we’re fortunate no one was injured and we were able to take him into custody.
“I can’t say this happens very often, but that’s what he chose to target today and the good thing is he’s in custody and he’ll be booked related to those charges.”
Valles added the gun has not been located.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 559-621-7000.
This story was originally published April 2, 2022 at 10:47 PM.
