TULARE COUNTY – On a recent Tuesday in Orosi, law enforcement responded to two emergencies just twelve hours apart, one involving a heroic rescue of a child from a house fire and the other an armed robbery at a local gas station.
On Sept. 24, just before 4:30 p.m., deputies were called to the 14000 Block of Florida Avenue in Orosi for a house fire in which a 12-year-old child with Down syndrome was trapped inside. When deputies arrived on scene, they ran inside to find the trapped child. One deputy ran back into the home three times, eventually finding the child in a back bedroom conscious and breathing.
The child, his brother and the deputy were taken to local hospitals to be treated for smoke inhalation. Sheriff Boudreaux visited with the family at the hospital and reported that all three are expected to be okay.
That same day just twelve hours earlier, just before 4:30 a.m., deputies were called to an armed robbery at the Valero Gas Station, otherwise known as MOS Quick Stop, in the 41500 of Road 128 in Orosi. When they arrived, deputies learned the suspect walked into the gas station wearing a mask and armed with a gun. The suspect pointed the weapon at the clerk and threatened to kill him if he didn’t give him money.
The suspect got away with an undisclosed amount of cash. No shots were fired and no one was hurt. Anyone with information about this circumstance is asked to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 559-733-6218.
Sept. 20
Around 7:15 a.m. on Sept. 20, deputies were called to the Shell Gas Station in Tipton for a robbery. When deputies arrived, the 56-year-old victim told them he approached a man and woman in a silver sedan and asked for a ride. The couple agreed to give the victim a ride, but asked for gas money.Â
Once the victim paid for gas and several other items for the couple, the man then demanded more items. The victim said no and they all walked to the car. That’s when the victim noticed the man had a weapon. Once at the car, the victim changed his mind and walked away. The woman tried to lure the victim back into the car. But when he said no, the man grabbed the victim’s arm and twisted it behind his back, took his wallet then pushed him to the ground. The suspect then ran back into the car as the woman drove off.
During their investigation, detectives identified the suspects as Elijah Freeman, 29, and Melissa Zamora, 38. A few hours later, Porterville Police saw the car and stopped it. The man and woman were taken into custody for robbery and taken to the South County Detention Facility. It was later learned that the male suspect was currently on Community Supervision for previous burglary charges.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Sergeant John Nicholson or Detective Diego Ramos with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 559-733-6218. Or, they can remain anonymous by calling or texting 559-725-4194 or through email at tcso@tipnow.com.
