Deputies Arrest Burglar Who Groped Woman in Bed 

July 19, 2025 – Fresno County Sheriff’s office officials report that deputies have arrested 32-year-old Ernest Daniel Linton of Fresno. He has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on felony charges of home invasion robbery, sexual battery and assault with intent to commit a sex offense. His bail is set at $325,000.

At 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16th, dispatchers received a report of a hot prowl burglary that occurred at a home on the 5000 block of E. Tyler Avenue in Fresno. Deputies arrived and spoke with a woman who was the victim. She explained that she and her child were the only ones home and they were both asleep in her bed. She woke up when she found a strange man in her bed groping her. The woman shouted at the man to get out. He fled from inside the home. It was later discovered he stole some personal items. Both the woman and child did not suffer any physical injuries.

Deputies obtained a description of the suspect and began to search the area. They obtained surveillance videos, which showed the man walking on the street. Wednesday afternoon, deputies contacted a similar looking man near the Circle K gas station at Olive and Peach Avenues in Fresno. He was later confirmed to be a match to the suspect who entered the home.

Detectives are working to learn more about Linton and want to hear from the public if they have had any inappropriate contact with him. He is known to frequently be in the area of E. Olive and N. Peach Avenues.

If you have information related to this case, contact Sheriff’s Detective Rosales at (559) 600-8206. Tips may also be submitted to Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867 or online at www.valleycrimestoppers.org. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Reference case #25-7227.

Source & photo: Fresno County Sheriff’s office