BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A 14-year-old Delano boy has been arrested and others are being sought after allegedly being involved in a series of burglaries in several cities, including Tulare County. Officials said the alleged suspects used stolen cars to break into Kern County businesses, steal cash and set the vehicles on fire.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office said officers were called to AKal Travel Plaza in Delano, La Princesa Bakery in Richgrove and Cesi’s Cafe in Alpaugh in the early morning hours of July 30, 2024 for a series of burglaries.
When they arrived, officers found that four masked individuals, one of whom was armed with a handgun, had allegedly stolen vehicles and crashed them into the facades of three different businesses.
TCSO said they then allegedly stole cash and other items from the stores.
The stolen vehicles were later found completely burned in Kern County.
TCSO said 20-year-old Dencio Cantorna Jr. of Delano was later arrested in connection with the break-ins, as was a 14-year-old boy from Delano.
According to TCSO, officers were called to a burglary alarm at the Tipton Dollar General on August 28, 2024. There they learned that the suspects had allegedly used a vehicle to break down the store’s doors.
During this investigation, officers received a second 911 call about a burglar alarm at the Earlimart Valero. Officers went there and found very similar damage to the building.
Officers reviewed video surveillance from both locations and saw two suspects at each location ransacking both stores looking for cash. The suspects allegedly stole a large amount of cash and merchandise during this second crime spree.
TCSO detectives responded and soon determined that the same 14-year-old boy was suspected of being involved in the incident again. He had been released from the Tulare County Juvenile Detention Center into the custody of his mother.
According to TCSO, during the investigation, the 14-year-old boy from Delano was identified as the driver of the stolen vehicles with which he rammed the doors at all of the crime scenes.
Detectives tracked the boy down in Delano and he was again arrested on multiple charges including burglary, conspiracy, auto theft and arson.
Further suspects in this case are still being sought.
Anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant Nicholson or Detective Muller at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218. Or they can remain anonymous by calling or texting (559) 725-4194 or emailing [email protected].
