14-year-old arrested twice in Tulare, Kern counties car crash burglaries

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – A 14-year-old was arrested twice and other suspects are sought after a string of burglaries in Tulare County took place over the past two months, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office announced.

Deputies say in the early morning hours of July 30, they responded to the AKal Travel Plaza in Delano, La Princesa Bakery in Richgrove, and Cesi’s Cafe in Alpaugh for a string of burglaries.

Investigators determined four suspects wearing masks, one of which was armed with a handgun, stole vehicles and crashed them into three different businesses. Suspects then stole cash and items before ditching the vehicles in Kern County. Authorities found them completely burned.

During their investigation, detectives say they arrested 20-year-old Dencio Cantorna Jr. of Delano and a 14-year-old Delano boy in connection with the burglaries. The boy was eventually released to the custody of his mother from the Tulare County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Almost a month later on Wednesday, deputies were called to a burglar alarm at the Tipton Dollar General. While investigating this incident they received a second call for a burglar alarm at a Valero in Earlimart.

Both locations had similar damage and upon reviewing both surveillance feeds, investigators say two suspects were seen at each location, rummaging through both stores looking for cash. Suspects were able to get away with a large sum of cash during this second crime spree.

Detectives eventually identified the driver of the stolen vehicles used to ram through the doors as the same 14-year-old Delano boy who was initially arrested in July. He was eventually located and arrested under suspicion of burglary, conspiracy, vehicle theft, and arson.

While deputies have made an arrest, they say the other suspects involved in these burglaries are still at large. Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to contact Sergeant John Nicholson or Detective Adam Muller with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 559-733-6218.

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