TCSO Detectives Make Arrests in String of Ag-Related Burglaries 

June 3, 2024 – Tulare County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on February 8, 2024, Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to a farm shop in the 11900 Block of Road 248 in Porterville for a burglary.

When Deputies arrived, they learned the suspects forced their way into the shop and took two ATVs and multiple power tools.

Over the next three months, similar burglaries were reported, with multiple ATVs, trailers, tools, and about $60,000 of agricultural chemicals stolen.

45-year-old Rafael Lopez of Terra Bella was soon identified as a suspect in at least three of the burglaries.

On May 28th, Lopez was tracked down at a property on Road 248. There they found two ATVs that matched the descriptions of four that were stolen during a newly reported burglary. The ATVs were confirmed to be stolen, and Lopez was arrested for his participation in the burglaries.

41-year-old Paulo Lima of Terra Bella was also arrested at the property and charged with possession of stolen property.

On May 29th, Detectives served a warrant at a property associated with Lopez and found two additional ATVs, a trailer and various tools and chemicals related to additional burglaries.

Lopez is suspected of being involved in at least eight burglaries throughout southern Tulare County since February 2024, including Porterville.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Ryan Pughor Sergeant Joseph Armstrong with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Ag Crimes Unit at (559) 733-6218. Or, they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559) 725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com.

Source & photos: Tulare County Sheriff’s Office