Valley Crime Stoppers Tip Helps Reunite Owner with Stolen Vintage Car 

September 28, 2024 – Fresno County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Friday, detectives with the Fresno Help Eliminate Auto Theft (HEAT) Task Force returned a 1967 Dodge Dart to a Fresno man.  The car was taken six months ago.

It was on September 24th, H.E.A.T. detectives followed up on an anonymous Crime Stoppers tip that pointed to where the stolen car was located.  Detectives went to a home on Myrtle Ave. in Raisin City.  There they found the car in a garage with the door open and a man sitting in a chair next to it.  Detectives authored a search warrant for the home and executed it.  They arrested the man, 50-year-old Robert Lopez, and took possession of the Dodge Dart.  Detectives also recovered a stolen 2003 Yamaha quad at the house.

Lopez is currently in currently in the Fresno County Jail on $115,000 bail.  He faces charges of auto theft and committing a felony while out on bail.  The second charge is due to the fact Lopez had bonded out in March on a domestic violence and assault with a deadly weapon charges.

If you want to help victims of crimes, please contact Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

*Fresno H.E.A.T. is comprised of members from CHP, Clovis Police and the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.

Source & photos: Fresno County Sheriff's Office