Burglary suspects caught

Fresno Sheriff’s and Fresno Police officers both formed a tag team to capture two young burglary suspects in the early afternoon hours on Monday in central Fresno.

Two Fresno County teenagers were captured by both units at an apartment complex in central Fresno and at a nearby gas station, with one of the suspects even trying to hide inside the washroom behind a washing machine.

The two young men were identified as Abel Naranjo, 19, and Gerardo Medina, 18, both from Fresno. Both were reported to be breaking into a residence located on the northeast corner of McKinley Avenue and Ninth Street, which is sandwiched between Highways 41 and 168 in central Fresno.

Abel Naranjo

Gerardo Medina

Sheriff spokesman Chris Curtice indicated that authorities received a report from a neighbor regarding a break-in inside the nearby home shortly before noon.

“The first responding deputy entered the backyard and confirmed that the home had been broken into,” Curtice said.

What later ensued was a chase involving the two male suspects.

“At about the same time, the deputy observed the two subjects get into a black colored Toyota Tundra pick up, and drive away southbound on Ninth Street,” Curtice said. “The deputy was able to broadcast a partial license plate number to assisting deputies.”

Another deputy was able to pick up the Toyota truck driving southbound on Fresno Street near Princeton Avenue. When the deputy attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver failed to yield according to Curtice and began to accelerate the Tundra truck at a higher speed.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Gerardo Medina. A mishap with Medina’s driving led to Naranjo escaping the vehicle and fleeing on foot.

“As the vehicle approached McKinley, Medina lost control and he spun out,” Curtice said. “The passenger got out and ran westbound through an alley.”

Medina later pulled into a nearby gas station on the northeast corner of McKinley and Fresno Street, where he was apprehended and taken into custody without further incident.

A perimeter was then set up by Fresno PD in the surrounding area just north of the gas station. Witnesses confirmed that Naranjo was seen in the nearby apartment complex where the blockade was formed. A Fresno PD canine alerted the whereabouts of Naranjo inside the washroom, which was detached from the rest of the complex.

“When deputies checked inside the washroom, they located Naranjo hiding behind a washing machine,” Curtice said.

Witnesses positively confirmed that it was both Medina and Naranjo who broke inside the residence. Both men were charged with possession of stolen property and burglary.

Medina was also booked with felony evading. Naranjo was also confirmed to be on felony probation for his burglary. He also had an outstanding felony burglary warrant for his arrest. He also tried to resist arrest from authorities.

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