Press Release

Louis Garrett Ramboz, 26 years

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims today announced the arrest of a Fresno man in connection with a burglary that occurred in the 6000 block of E. Shepherd Ave. Arrested was 26 year old Louis Garrett Ramboz.

The incident occurred this past Friday morning, shortly after 9:00am when deputies were dispatched to the Shepherd address regarding a burglary in progress call.

The victim was starting to do some yard work at the rear of her property when she saw Ramboz standing near her property with several items of her property stacked up nearby. When the victim confronted Ramboz, he first attempted to hide. She then told Ramboz to put her property back in her yard to which he refused or she would call the Sheriff’s Office. Ramboz then ran to a dark colored Honda that was parked nearby. The victim was able to get the license plate of the vehicle and called the Sheriff’s Office.

Assisting deputies immediately responded to the registered owner’s address located in the 2000 block of E. Solar Ave in the City of Fresno. At approximately 9:45am, deputies observed Ramboz to arrive at the residence in the Honda where he was immediately detained. Deputies located several items of property that were identified as belonging to the victim.

Deputies also discovered a loaded handgun and a small amount of methamphetamine inside Ramboz’ vehicle.

Ramboz was arrested and later transported to the Fresno County jail where he was booked on charges of burglary, possession of stolen property, possession of methamphetamine, and weapons charges.

All of the victim’s property was recovered.

Shaneek Shaunte Moore, 23 years

Fresno County Sheriff detectives are currently trying to identify four subjects involved in a home invasion robbery that occurred last night at a home located in the 20700 block of S. Grantland Ave.

Shortly before 6:00pm, deputies responded to the victim’s home regarding a robbery call. When they arrived on scene, they found three victims inside the home, two of which were injured.

The investigation revealed that three victims had been inside the house when 4 unknown African American suspects, 3 male and 1 female, entered. While inside the residence the suspects held the victims at gunpoint while they stole property both inside and from the victim’s vehicles parked outside. During the robbery, one of the victims was beaten and one was stabbed.

After fleeing the residence, the suspects were seen getting into two vehicles parked nearby. The vehicles were last seen driving northbound on Grantland Ave.

The two victims were transported to Community Regional Medical Center for treatment of their non life threatening injuries.

Earlier this afternoon, detectives arrested the female suspect, 23 year old Shaneek Shaunte Moore in connection with the robbery. She was arrested without incident by detectives in the 2000 block of “G” St.

Detectives are still trying to identify the 3 male suspects and the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Michael Quintanilla at 896-2080, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at 488-3111, or CrimeStoppers at 498-STOP(7867).

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims is pleased to announce that three missing Fresno men were located by Search and Rescue personnel earlier this morning in the mountains of eastern Fresno County.

The three men in their late 20’s set off early yesterday morning from Sample Meadow in the Kaiser Wilderness area for a day hike. When they did not return in the afternoon, family members contacted the Sheriff’s Office.

Responding deputies located the missing hikers’ vehicle parked at Sample Meadow and a full scale SAR was launched. 12 SAR personnel including deputies, volunteers, and an area canine started a search shortly after midnight. The search continued all night.

This morning at first light, Eagle One assisted in the search. Shortly before 9:00am, Eagle One located the three in the Kaiser Wilderness area. Ground searchers were directed to the missing hikers, and they were led back to their vehicle where they were greeted by several family and friends.

The three hikers apparently knew they were lost and did some smart things. They stayed in one spot and waited for searchers. With overnight temperatures falling into the 40’s, they immediately started a fire and kept it going throughout the ordeal. When they heard the helicopter, they put wet leaves on the fire to cause smoke for the helicopter crew to see.

The three had to endure being out in a storm that was moving through the area. They were found wet and cold, but otherwise okay.

This is the Sheriff’s Office 22nd SAR incident for 2009.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Area 3 substation, located just south of the City of Selma at 1055 S Golden State Blvd, will be closed on August 24, 25, and 26.

Vehicle releases can be obtained from the Area 2 substation located at 5717 E. Shields Ave in the City of Fresno, as well as the Sheriff’s Office main headquarters at 2200 Fresno St. Office hours are from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

The Area 2 phone number is 292-1104. The Sheriff’s Office main headquarters phone number is 488-3939.

Kimberly Ann Lofton, 49 years

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims today announced the arrest of a Squaw Valley woman after barricading herself in her bedroom for over two hours. Arrested was 49 year old Kimberly Ann Lofton.

This past Monday morning, shortly after 9:30am, deputies responded to Lofton’s residence located in the 33000 block of Puma Lane to arrest her on an outstanding felony warrant for being in possession of narcotics while being armed.

When they attempted to make contact with Lofton, she barricaded herself in a rear bedroom and threatened to shoot the deputies, or herself, should they attempt to arrest her.

Deputies with the Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiations Team were requested and responded to the call. Deputies were able to maintain contact with Lofton and after 2 ½ hours, succeeded in getting her to surrender.

A subsequent search of Lofton’s house revealed a .22 rifle under the bed in the same room in which she had been barricaded. Also found were several rounds of various ammunition and a small amount of narcotics.

In addition to the warrant, Lofton was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, narcotics violations, resisting arrest, and probation violations. She was later booked into the Fresno County Jail.

No one was injured during the incident.

Fresno County Sheriff’s detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating two Mendota man wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred in Mendota last week. Wanted are Juan Jose Ayala Garcia and Giovanni Escalante Escobar, both of Mendota.

This past Friday night at 8:00pm, deputies responded to the shooting call outside of 298 San Pedro in the City of Mendota. When they arrived, deputies located a 24 year old man lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to his head. Deputies applied first aid to the victim until Emergency Medical personnel arrived. He was later transported to Community Regional Medical Center where he was expected to survive.

The investigation revealed that the shooting may have been gang related and stemmed from an earlier disturbance that had occurred at the ‘Antojitos Guanicos’ restaurant in Mendota.

Garcia is described as being Hispanic, 21 years old, 5-8/ 170 pounds with a shaved head and brown eyes.

Escobar is described as being Hispanic, 20-25 years old, 5-7/ 170 pounds, also with a shaved head, brown eyes, mustache & goatee.

Both Garcia and Escobar were last seen driving away from the area in a black colored, four door Lincoln or Ford type car. Both are wanted on charges of attempted murder and should be considered Armed & Dangerous.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Garcia and/or Escobar, or has any information regarding the shooting is asked to contact detective Hector Palma at 488-3926, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, or CrimeStoppers at 498-STOP(7867)

The search continues for 20 year old Cherie Hamilton in the mountains of eastern Fresno County. Hamilton went missing Tuesday afternoon after going off trail during a day hike from her campsite to Wishon Lake.

Currently, 35 deputies and volunteers are searching an approximate 10-15 square mile area, at an elevation of about 7000’.

The Sheriff’s Office has contacted the State Office of Emergency Services for mutual aid. We are expecting as many as 50 more searchers and 6 area dogs from other agencies throughout the state.

The command post has been set up near the Wishon Store in Wishon. Directions to the command post are as follows: Hwy 168 to Shaver Lake, turn right on Dinkey Creek Rd, turn right on McKinley Grove Rd, continue to the Wishon Store where the road dead ends.

Travel time is approximately 2 hours from Fresno. Contacts at the command post are Sgt. Greg Collins or Sgt. Kathy Curtice.

Fresno County Sheriff’s detectives have released the identity of a man found deceased in the San Joaquin River earlier this week. He has been identified as 30 year old Marcos Aguilar of Madera.

Aguilar’s body was found in the river near San Mateo north of Hwy 180. The cause of death is not being released at this time. However, detectives are treating the death as suspicious.

Aguilar’s last known address was in Madera County and he has apparently lived in the Madera area since 2006. Detectives have been unable to locate any family or friends of Aguilar and are asking for the public’s help in finding out any information on him.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Jaime Loredo at 488-3921, or the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at 488-3111.

Kenneth Lee Spencer, 28 years

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims today announced the arrest of a Kerman man on several charges including assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer with injury, vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, and felony evading. Arrested was 28 year old Kenneth Lee Spencer.

Last night, shortly before 9:00pm, deputies were looking for a reported stolen vehicle in the area of North & Madera, just south of the City of Kerman. The stolen vehicle, a red colored 2001 PT Cruiser, had been reported stolen from a residence located in the 19000 block of W. North Ave.

Deputies spotted the car traveling eastbound on North Ave. from Madera Ave. Deputies initiated a traffic stop during which time the car stopped in the middle of the roadway. As the deputy got out of his patrol car, the driver of the stolen car, later identified as Spencer, put the car in reverse and slammed into the deputy’s patrol car. The force of the impact caused the open door of the patrol car to strike the deputy and knock him to the ground. Spencer then drove away with other deputies in pursuit.

Deputies pursued Spencer in and around the Kerman area before it headed towards the City of Fresno down Shaw Ave. The pursuit reached speeds of 80-90 mph. Deputies cancelled the pursuit as it got near the city limits of Fresno as Spencer was starting to force other vehicles off the road.

Fresno PD’s helicopter, Air One, was able to follow the vehicle as it traveled into the City of Clovis. Clovis PD officers were able to get the vehicle stopped near the intersection of Shaw & DeWolf where Spencer was taken into custody. He was later booked into the Fresno County Jail.

The deputy received minor injuries to his head and leg. He was treated and released at the scene.

Cherie Hamilton, 20 years

Fresno County Search and Rescue personnel are currently searching for 20 year old Cherie Hamilton in the mountains of eastern Fresno County. Hamilton has been missing since yesterday afternoon from her campsite located in the Wishon area.

Hamilton had been camping with friends near the intersection of McKinley Grove Rd & Spanish Lake Rd. Shortly after 2:00pm, she walked away from the campsite and has not been heard from since. Her friends reported her missing to the U.S forest Service who then contacted the Sheriff’s Office.

SAR deputies and volunteers responded to the area starting the search around midnight. Approximately 22 persons are involved in the search including mountaineers, jeep volunteers, and Eagle One.

The search area is approximately 10 square miles, at an elevation of about 7000’.

Anyone who may have sighted Hamilton, or knows of her whereabouts, is asked to contact the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at 488-3111.