San Jose men arrested after stealing from Ross stores in Fresno, Tulare counties

VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Two men from San Jose have been arrested after stealing thousands of dollars worth of items from Ross stores in Tulare and Fresno counties, the Visalia Police Department said.

Officers say they responded to a Ross Store on North Dinuba Boulevard at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday after receiving reports of two people stealing from the store.

Upon arrival, responding officers say they found the suspects in the parking lot, inside their vehicle. The suspects fled when police approached, but were quickly apprehended.

The police department identified the suspects as Fernandeo Mendoza-Esquivel, 31, and Jesus Gonzalez, 19, both from San Jose.

Detectives say further investigation revealed the pair had stolen from other Ross stores in Fresno County earlier in the day. Officers say they found about 310 items in their vehicle, which were valued at around $6,300.

According to officers, the suspects were booked at the Tulare County Adult Pre-Trial Facility under suspicion of organized retail theft, grand theft, possession of stolen property and conspiracy to commit a crime.