Police catch prolific car thief wanted for murder
FRESNO – Police arrested the man they believe is responsible for a murder that happened in Fresno early Tuesday morning.
Tino Tufono
Tino Tufono, 30, was arrested on Wednesday morning. Around 9:45 a.m., police received a tip that that Tufono was walking in the area of Clinton and Bond streets in Central Fresno. The arrest was made with the help of a Sheriff’s helicopter and undercover officers, who confirmed that Tufono was in the area.
Tufono is a prolific car thief who was released from Fresno County Jail 11 days ago because of jail overcrowding. He has been released from jail many times and is one of Fresno’s Top Five most wanted car thieves.
He was being sought by police in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred on Dec. 6 at approximately 1:55 a.m. at a converted garage in the 1200 block of East Clinton Avenue. Police say the victim, a man in his 20s, and Tufono knew each other.
“The attack was unprovoked,” Fresno Police Lt. Mark Salazar said.
Salazar said that there were other people present and drugs were involved. Tufono allegedly shot the victim after a disturbance between the two men, Salazar said. Witnesses identified Tufono as the shooter.
Police spent the last 24 hours combing the streets in search of Tufono, who they considered armed and dangerous. He had also allegedly made threatening statements toward police officers.
“He made comments that he would shoot the first cop he sees,” Salazar said.
However, Tufono’s arrest went down without opposition, police said.
This was Fresno’s 33rd murder this year.
Read More:
KFSN-TV: Police arrest homicide suspect Tino Tufono in Central Fresno
KSEE24News: Prolific Car Thief and Murder Suspect Arrested
KMPH26: Police: Notorious Fresno Car Thief Arrested for Murder
