June 15, 2023 - Kern County Sheriff's Office officials report that on June 2, 2023, at around 2:45 p.m., Kern County Sheriff's Office deputies assigned to the Electronic Monitoring Program (EMP) went to the 1000 block of Terrace Way to conduct a routine probation search. Upon arrival, deputies contacted multiple individuals. 

Rufus Hernandez (40-year-old)- Hernandez was arrested for providing false information to a peace officer as well as being a felon in possession of a stolen firearm, ammunition, and body armor.

Valerie Fuentes (31-year-old) - Fuentes was issued a citation for being in possession of a controlled substance.

Alex Ciruso (28-year-old)- Ciruso was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

Mindy Bates (35-year-old)- Bates was arrested for an outstanding burglary warrant.

Albert Castro (45-year-old) had an active Post Release Community Supervision warrant.

Tiffany McKinley (35-year-old) was issued a citation for interfering with the investigation.

On June 9, 2023, at around 9:20 a.m., Kern County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a shooting in the 1900 block of Williams Street. It was determined the suspect fled and was wanted for criminal threats and the negligent discharge of a firearm. Deputies assigned to the Electronic Monitoring Program assisted with the search and located a subject matching the physical and clothing descriptions of the suspect. The subject, Miguel Cruz (32-year-old), fled. Deputies saw Cruz in possession of a firearm. Minimal force was used to take Cruz into custody. Cruz was not injured during the incident. Deputies recovered a loaded firearm from Cruz. It was later determined Cruz was unrelated to the initial shooting investigation. He was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as possessing a stolen firearm and resisting arrest.

Source: Kern County Sheriff's Office