Visalia Country Club suffers $17K theft, vandalism spree

VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A 19-year-old was among three others who allegedly stole over $17,000 worth of property and vandalized a country club in Visalia Sunday morning, the Visalia Police Department announced.

Just after 7:30 a.m., police say they responded to the Visalia Country Club in the 600 block of North Ranch Street for reports of theft and vandalism.

Investigators said three males jumped the club’s fence around 4 a.m. and took two golf carts for joyrides, along with a third, privately owned golf cart. One of the club’s golf carts sustained about $1,000 in damage, while the privately owned cart sustained about $15,000 in damage.

Along with the damage, police report a golf bag from the private cart was stolen, which had golf clubs, equipment, jewelry and cash— all valued at about $17,550.

Detectives say they were eventually led to a vehicle in the 17000 block of Avenue 288 in Exeter and obtained a search warrant. The search led to the recovery of a majority of the stolen items; about $16,600 worth.

Visalia Police say they contacted the vehicle’s owner, 19-year-old Aidan Mendez, and later booked him on charges of vehicle theft, grand theft, vandalism, and conspiracy.