Porterville Police arrest man for stealing from front yard

PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A man was arrested after allegedly stealing several items from the front yard of a home in Porterville, the city’s police department said Friday.

Police say that on Dec. 12, 2024, at around 4:40 p.m., the department received a report of a theft from a residence on the 700 block of North Balmayne Drive.

According to police, the victim reported that the suspect, who has been identified as Semaji Newton, 28, had loaded several items from the front yard of a home into a truck before fleeing the scene.

As the investigation progressed, detectives identified Newton’s vehicle.

On Jan. 17 at 11:15 a.m., police say detectives located the vehicle at a residence in the 2400 block of West Monache Lane.

Newton also had two unrelated outstanding arrest warrants, according to police.

After a warrant was authored, police say during the search they found property from the theft.

Officers say Newton was arrested on suspicion of grand theft, possession of stolen property and the confirmed arrest warrants.

According to police, Newton was booked at the Tulare County South County Detention Facility, where he is being held without bail.