Shortly before 6:00 am Tuesday, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office received a report of shots being fired near a home on the 4300 block of Kenmore Drive South in the Mayfair District. The caller said that the ex-boyfriend of a woman at the house had shown up in a black SUV towing a trailer and unloaded furniture in the front yard. The man, 30 year old Jose Padilla, has a domestic violence restraining order and it is a violation for him to get near the people at this house. A resident got into an argument with Padilla, he drove away and then they heard what they believed to be multiple gunshots being fired. Deputies searched the area, but nothing was found to be struck by bullets.
Around 6:30 am, deputies responded to an apartment complex located on the 4700 block of E. Weldon Ave. in Fresno after learning that Padilla lived there. Deputies found a black SUV with a trailer attached parked in front of the apartment unit. Deputies made several calls for Padilla to exit the apartment, but he never did. They continued to surround the unit as they waited for a search warrant to be authored.
Around 9:00 am, the Sheriff’s Office received information that Padilla may be driving an Audi in the area. A deputy spotted the car near the intersection of Clinton and Price and attempted to make a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pull over. He proceeded to drive east on Highway 168 before finally pulling over just south of the Shields exit. Deputies surrounded the car and arrested the driver without incident. He is identified as Rodolfo Valdivia, 35, of Fresno. He was booked into the Fresno County Jail for evading an officer and having an outstanding arrest warrant. Thus far, it’s been determined he does know Jose Padilla. Deputies received a report that an object may have been thrown out of the Audi near the McKinley on-ramp to Highway 168. They searched the area and found a gun.
Just before 11:00 am, detectives acquired a search warrant. They first sent a K9 into the apartment and then entered the unit themselves. Padilla was not inside; the apartment was empty.
Jose Padilla is described as being 5’9”, 290 lbs. He also goes by the name “Antonio.”
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Jose Padilla should call the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7687). You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.