The suspects fled the scene in a red Chevrolet pickup truck when confronted by the field’s caretaker.
Deputies located the truck traveling north on 17th Avenue near Kansas Avenue. The incident began about 1:30 a.m. when deputies were summoned to the rural area south of Lemoore.
During the chase, deputies attempted to stop the pickup, but the driver sped away. The law enforcement officials pursued the pickup at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. The truck finally came to a stop by an orchard near Kent Avenue. Three male suspects exited the truck and fled on foot.
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Law enforcement officers established a perimeter around the orchard, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter arrived on the scene to help locate the trio. A Kings County K9 and the Hanford Police Department were also utilized to help locate each suspect.
All three of the suspects were ultimately apprehended and later identified as Jesus Alvarado, Jose Torres, and Javier Martinez. During the apprehension of Martinez, a K9 was employed to safely take him into custody after he resisted arrest. Martinez kicked the K9 in the head multiple times during the struggle. The K9 was not severely injured during the incident.
It was later determined the suspects stole from the field believing the plants to be Marijuana. A total of 33 plants were recovered and returned to the owner.
