Lemoore police officer on patrol makes traffic stop, finds much more

Monday, May 15, 2023 - 11:36am By The Leader Staff

Lemoore police discovered in the vehicle possible stolen property, illegal narcotics/paraphernalia, possible burglary tools.

Photo Courtesy Lemoore Police Department

A Lemoore police officer on patrol in the area of South 19th Avenue and Highway 198 stopped a 22-year-old, Christian Luevano, of Bakersfield, for a suspected equipment violation on a four-door Acura he was driving. It turns out there was much more to the stop.

The Lemoore Police Department states that the suspect, Luevano, was unlicensed and currently on probation. Passengers in the vehicle included suspects Rafael Lazaro (32) and Fernando Estrada (39) of Bakersfield.

During the investigation, officers learned the vehicle displayed a stolen Delano license plate. A Lemoore Police K9 searched the exterior of the vehicle. The K9 indicated the presence of narcotics inside the car. Police officers thoroughly searched the vehicle and found illegal drugs, narcotic paraphernalia, several burglary tools, and two catalytic converters with fresh cuts on each side.

All three subjects inside the vehicle had multiple warrants confirmed out of Los Angeles County (Lancaster) and Kern County (MacFarland/Bakersfield).

Police officers charged the suspect, Luevano, with multiple felony warrants along with possession of stolen property, possession of illegal narcotics/paraphernalia, and possession of burglary tools.

Police booked suspects Lazaro and Estrada for similar charges along with their warrants. Each subject was booked into the Kings County Jail. Luevano was held on no-bail, Estrada on $95,000 bail, and Lazaro on $100,000 bail.

Lemoore police officer on patrol makes traffic stop, finds much more

Law Enforcement