Photo: Dean Carpenter
VISALIA – A hit-and-run-suspect temporarily fled from law enforcement on Tuesday afternoon after a collision took place close to Washington Elementary near Garden and Tulare Street in Visalia. One of the parties involved wanted to avoid any responsibility for the accident and fled the scene. Citizens tried to detain 24-year old Dean Carpenter but after some fighting he made his way to nearby apartments.
Upon reaching the apartments he was going to help himself to some shelter but the resident of said apartment was having none of it and denied Carpenter a hiding place.
Police locked down Washington Elementary as a precaution while they searched for Carpenter. Gathering information from witnesses, Police knew in which direction he fled.
The K9 Unit located Carpenter in a residential back yard of a home near Bridge and Laurel. Although Carpenter tried to fight the Police K9 and a police officer when found, he was arrested. The K9 and police officer were uninjured however Carpentered did sustain minor injuries.
Carpenter is booked into the Tulare County Pretrial Facility and faces charges of Assault, Battery, Hit and Run, and Prowling.
The Visalia Police Department is grateful for the role citizens played in capturing Carpenter but urge people not to put themselves in harm’s way.
Photo from Visalia Police Department
