Ag Crimes Detectives Arrest Fleeing Thief 

July 3, 2024 – Fresno County Sheriff's Office officials report that Detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Ag Crimes Task Force have arrested 40-year-old James Garcia of Fresno. He has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges of burglary, auto theft, grand theft, hit and run and evading police.

Around 12:30 p.m. on Monday, a property owner saw a man trying to steal items from his ranch near Central and Valentine Avenues. As the owner approached, in his vehicle, the suspect James Garcia, rammed into him using his vehicle. Garcia’s vehicle became disabled and he took off running. As deputies responded to the area, a report came in of a white pickup truck being stolen from a nearby produce packing house. Garcia took the pickup and drove through a fence to escape. The Sheriff’s helicopter, EAGLE One, spotted the pickup and followed it. Garcia reached speeds up to 100 mph, driving recklessly, endangering the lives of other motorists on the roadway. Garcia eventually reached Adams Market, located at the corner of S. Cedar and E. Adams Avenues, and walked into the store. Patrol deputies arrived and took Garcia into custody.

Detectives returned to the original scene to search Garcia’s disabled vehicle and found items stolen from previous ag-related burglaries.

Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to 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 # 24-7516.

Source & photo: Fresno County Sheriff's Office