April 12, 2024 - Fresno County Sheriff's Office officials report on Thursday, deputies with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Property Crimes Unit, Ag Task Force and SWAT team served a search warrant in the Riverdale area. This was in relation to two wanted suspects in a carjacking. During the search in Riverdale, detectives in Kings County contacted our deputies to let them know that the suspects, Cecil Love and Mercedes Donez, were seen in Lemoore. Deputies responded to 18th Ave. and Faun Drive in Lemoore and took both into custody on active arrest warrants.

34 year old Mercedes Donez of Riverdale was booked into the Fresno County Jail for carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of stolen property. 27 year old Cecil Love of Hanford is in jail facing a charge of carjacking.

Just after 11:00 pm on March 21, 2024, deputies were dispatched to the 2100 block of S. Walnut Ave. in Riverdale for a report of a carjacking. The victim said a group of people he knew needed a ride, so he agreed to pick them up. Once he arrived, he encountered four people. Two of them, Cecil Love and Mercedes Donez, approached and assaulted him. The victim escaped this attack and while running away, Donez nearly ran over him with his own vehicle as she and her partners fled the scene. The victim avoided further injury and dialed 911 for help.

This remains an ongoing investigation with two suspects who remain outstanding. If you have additional information about this case, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Reference case # 24-3339.


Source: Fresno County Sheriff's Office