20-Year-Old and 14-Year-Old Arrested for String of Burglaries, Additional Suspects Still at Large
August 29, 2024 – Tulare County Sheriff's Office officials report that in the early morning hours of July 30, 2024, TCSO Deputies were called to the AKal Travel Plaza in Delano, La Princesa Bakery in Richgrove and Cesi’s Cafe in Alpaugh for a string of burglaries. When they arrived, Deputies learned four suspects, wearing masks and one armed with a handgun, stole vehicles and used them to crash into three different business store fronts. They then proceeded to steal cash and other items from the stores. The stolen vehicles were later found in Kern County completely burned. 20-year-old Dencio Cantorna Jr. of Delano was later arrested in connection with the burglaries, as well as a 14-year-old boy from Delano.
On August 28, 2024, TCSO Deputies were called to a burglar alarm at the Tipton Dollar General. There, they learned the suspects used a vehicle to ram through the doors of the store. While conducting that investigation, Deputies received a second call for service regarding a burglary alarm at the Earlimart Valero. Deputies went to that location and found very similar damage to the building. Deputies reviewed video surveillance from both locations and saw two suspects at each location, rummaging through both stores looking for cash. The suspects stole a large amount of cash and merchandise during this second crime spree. TCSO Detectives responded and soon identified the same 14-year-old suspect was involved once again. He had been released to the custody of his mother from the Tulare County Juvenile Detention Facility.
During the investigation, the 14-year-old suspect from Delano was identified as the driver of the stolen vehicles used to ram through the doors of each crime scene. Detectives tracked down the boy in Delano and he was again arrested for multiple charges of Burglary, Conspiracy, Vehicle Theft and Arson. Other suspects related to this case are still at large.
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Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Sergeant John Nicholson or Detective Adam Muller with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office at (559) 733-6218. Or they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559) 725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com.
Source: Tulare County Sheriff's Office
