Coalinga Police Department

10/21/2026

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Date: October 17th, 2026
Prepared by: Sergeant Tony Henderson

Coalinga Police Department Arrests 14-Year-Old Gang-Affiliated Suspect Following Knife Brandishing and Assault

COALINGA, CA — On Friday, October 16, 2026, at approximately 1:38 PM, officers with the Coalinga Police Department responded to the 300 block of W. Polk Street regarding a physical assault that had just occurred.

Upon arrival, responding units located a 15-year-old Coalinga resident bleeding from a recent physical assault. Emergency medical personnel arrived on scene and transported the victim to a local hospital for medical evaluation.

The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was physically assaulted by a male subject, while a separate 14-year-old male juvenile brandished a knife at the victim in a threatening manner. Following the encounter, the suspects fled the scene in a red sedan. A witness at the location subsequently interviewed by officers confirmed the details of the assault.

Through immediate investigative efforts on scene, officers obtained a first name and a photograph of the armed suspect. Diligent follow-up identified the individual as a 14-year-old Coalinga resident with ties to the Norteño criminal street gang.

A short time later, Coalinga officers tracked the juvenile to his residence. Officers observed multiple individuals standing in the backyard, including the wanted suspect. The 14-year-old juvenile was arrested without incident and later transported to the Juvenile Justice Center in Fresno. He faces charges of felony PC 245 – Assault with a Deadly Weapon and misdemeanor PC 417 – Brandishing a Weapon. With homeowner consent, officers and detectives conducted a search of the residence but did not locate the weapon involved.

The Coalinga Police Department remains dedicated to the safety of our neighborhoods and wishes to make it clear that any and all gang activity WILL NOT be tolerated. The department will relentlessly pursue all investigative avenues to arrest any individuals who commit violent crimes in our community.

This remains an active and ongoing investigation as officers work to identify the remaining suspects and locate the red sedan involved.

The Coalinga Police Department strongly urges anyone who witnessed this incident, possesses area surveillance or dashcam footage, or has any information regarding the remaining suspects, to contact the department at (559) 935-1525, option 1. Information can be provided anonymously.

10/21/2026

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Date: October 19th, 2026
Prepared by: Sergeant Damian Sparks

K-9 Boss Assists in Safely Apprehending an Assault Suspect

COALINGA, CA — On Sunday, October 11, 2026, at about 11:09am, a victim of an assault came into the lobby of the police department and reported to officers that his son physically assaulted, choked, and threatened to kill him. The victim was bleeding from the face but declined medical attention. The victim continued to tell officers that his son, whom he identified as 28-year-old Coalinga resident Cristino Lopez, is considerably larger than him, was high on drugs, was out of control, and that he wanted help from the police.

Officers responded to the residence in 400 block of E. Pleasant Street to conduct further investigation and possibly obtain a statement from Lopez regarding the assault to his father. Upon contacting Lopez, officers noticed physical signs of impairment from Lopez, which were consistent with someone under the influence of controlled substances. Officers also saw that Lopez had what appeared to be blood on his hands and knuckles.

Lopez’s behavior was erratic and the statements he was making to officers were not very coherent. Officers decided to detain Lopez and conduct a pat down search of his person for weapons at which time Lopez began to retreat into a converted unattached room in the backyard of the residence. Officers, believing that Lopez was going to barricade himself, went to grab Lopez at which point he decided to start physically resisting with officers. Officers gave Lopez multiple commands to place his hands behind his back and stop resisting, however Lopez continued to resist.

Officers deployed a Taser, but it was ineffective in getting Lopez subdued. K-9 Boss arrived as officers were attempting to restrain Lopez. Lopez was given no less than ten verbal warnings to surrender, or K-9 Boss would be released to apprehend him. Lopez ignored them and continued to physically resist officers. K-9 Boss was released, and Officers and K-9 Boss were able to subdue Lopez and take him into custody without further incident. One officer sustained minor injuries from the altercation with Lopez. Lopez was transported to CRMC (Coalinga) where he was treated for his injuries and medically cleared for booking into the Fresno County Jail. Lopez was later transported and booked into the Fresno County Jail for charges including felony assault and felony resisting an officer.

The Coalinga Police Department would like to remind the community that acts of family violence are considered acts of domestic violence and are taken very seriously by this department. The department would also like to remind individuals engaged in any criminal activity that resisting arrest and acts of violence towards officers and emergency medical services staff will not be tolerated and you will be charged accordingly.

10/14/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Date: October 14, 2026
Prepared By/Contact Person: Sergeant Damian Sparks

Convicted Felon in Possession of a Fi***rm Arrested

Officers with the Coalinga Police Department wrapped up a month-long investigation into a convicted felon, who was prohibited from possessing fi****ms and am******on, after the felon was found posting social media images and videos of himself holding and posing with a fi***rm.

Officers developed information and identified the prohibited person as 25-year-old Coalinga resident Elijah Moraido. Officers positively identified Moriado on his social media site and determined that the fi***rm used in these incidents belonged to and was registered to Moraido’s wife Coalinga resident Alexis Marie Towner.

During the investigation, officers saw a social media video posted by Moraido himself, in which Moraido was sitting on a couch inside of a residence with the fi***rm in his lap with a magazine inserted inside of it, in the presence of Towner and her children. Based on the information and evidence obtained, officers authored a search warrant as well as a Ramey arrest warrant for Moraido for violations of California Penal Code sections 29800(a)(1) Prohibited person in possession of a fi***rm, and 273A(B), Child endangerment.

On 09/30/26 at about 8:30am, officers initiated a felony vehicle stop on Moraido and Towner near the intersection of S. Monterey and W. Polk Streets in the city of Coalinga and took him into custody without incident. Towner was detained and taken back to their residence in the 600 block of Lucille Avenue in Coalinga, where a search of the residence was conducted.

Officers located a loaded, black, Ta**us GX2 9mm semi-automatic pistol inside of an unlocked safe in Towner and Moraido’s bedroom, near a child’s bed.

Moraido was later transported and booked into the Fresno County Jail without incident. Towner was released on scene and charges for violations of California Penal Code sections 25100(a) - Criminal storage of a fi***rm, 27500(a) - Allowing a prohibited person access to a fi***rm, and 273A(b) - Child Endangerment were forwarded to the Fresno County DA’s Office. The report for this incident was also forwarded to Fresno County Child Protective Services for additional investigation.

Just a reminder that is illegal to allow access to your legally owned and registered fi***rm to a prohibited person and illegal to store a fi***rm in an unsafe manner such in which an unintended person, especially children, can gain access to them.

10/13/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Date: October 13, 2026
Prepared By/Contact Person: Sergeant Andrew Diaz

Gang Member Arrested for Felon In Possession of Stolen Fi***rm

On 10/12/2026, a detective was proactively patrolling the area of Sunset and Tyler Streets when he observed a parolee driving a white Mercedes-Benz. The parolee pulled into a carport area accessible from a nearby alley. After exiting the vehicle, the parolee was contacted by the detective for a parole compliance check.

The parolee was later identified as Jorge Albert Orozco Rodriguez. During the contact, Orozco Rodriguez ignored the detective’s commands and quickly moved toward a corner of the property while reaching toward his waistband. Orozco Rodriguez then discarded a loaded, stolen .40-caliber Springfield XD pistol before complying with the detective’s commands.

The investigation determined that the fi***rm had been reported stolen in Oregon. Orozco Rodriguez is a convicted felon, is currently on active California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) parole and is a documented member of the Norteño criminal street gang. His criminal history includes multiple felony convictions, including a murder conviction as a juvenile.

This incident highlights the ongoing threat posed by individuals who unlawfully possess fi****ms despite their felony convictions and active parole status. The Coalinga Police Department will continue conducting proactive enforcement operations, recovering illegally possessed fi****ms, and holding individuals accountable for violations of the law. These efforts remain focused on reducing violent crime, addressing gang-related activity, and protecting the safety of Coalinga residents and the surrounding community.

Orozco Rodriguez was arrested for violations of the following California Penal Code sections.

PC 25850(a) – Carrying a loaded fi***rm in public place
PC 25400(a)(1) – Carrying a concealed fi***rm
PC 29800(a)(1) – Felon in possession of fi***rm
PC 30305(a)(1) – Felon in possession of am******on
PC 32310 – Possession of large capacity magazine
PC 25400(c)(2) – Possession of stolen fi***rm
PC 25850(c)(2) – Felon in possession of stolen fi***rm
PC 25850(c)(6) – Possession of fi***rm not the registered owner
PC 25850(c)(3) – Gang member in possession of fi***rm
PC 135 – Destroying or concealing evidence
PC 3056 – Parole Hold

Orozco Rodriguez was booked and transported to Fresno County Jail on the above charges

10/13/2026

This map shows the areas in which the police department is seeing crimes occur this year. As you can see, thefts continue to be one of the main concerns. Please lock your vehicles and do not keep valuables inside them if possible. Lock your doors to your homes and take preventative measures to make your house less appealing to the criminals. Keep the yards kept up, install and use exterior lighting at night, and keep gates to your back yards locked if you can. Every little bit helps.

10/11/2026

Come join us at the Coalinga-Huron Parks and Recreation annual Down Syndrome Awareness event at the sports complex

10/04/2026

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: October 3rd, 2026
Prepared by: Sergeant Tony Henderson

SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER STRING OF BURGLARIES AND THEFTS

The Coalinga Police Department has successfully apprehended a suspect responsible for a series of commercial property crimes impacting the community.

On October 2, 2026, officers responded to a reported burglary in progress at an unincorporated area near Merced Street and Lost Hills Road. Upon arriving at the scene, officers quickly established a perimeter, located the suspect, and took him into custody without further incident. The suspect has been identified as Coalinga resident, Jose A Medina Perez. Perez was currently wanted for a burglary that occurred at the local Tractor Supply in Coalinga, also on October 2, 2026. Perez also had an active Fresno County misdemeanor warrant for a PC 69 charge with bail amount of $50,000.00.

Following the arrest, Coalinga PD Detectives conducted a thorough interrogation in which Perez confessed to committing multiple, additional, burglaries and thefts throughout the City of Coalinga over the past 2 months. Based off Perez’ statements, officers were able to file charges on 4 additional open cases.

This arrest is a significant win for the safety and security of our residents and local business owners. Property crimes stretch beyond financial loss; they compromise our community's sense of safety. Thanks to the swift response of our patrol officers and the diligent work of our investigative team, a serial offender has been taken off our streets.

Detectives and Officers are currently working to recover stolen property and connect the suspect's admissions to open case files. Perez was later booked into the Fresno County Jail on various charges including Burglary, Grand Theft, Felony Vandalism, Resisting / Obstructing a Peace Officer, and Possession of Stolen Property, as well as his warrant for PC 69, Resisting / Obstructing an Executive Officer Using Threats of Violence.

This is an active investigation. The Coalinga Police Department urges anyone with additional information regarding recent thefts or anyone who may have unrecognized surveillance footage to contact the regular business line at 559-935-1525 option 1. You can remain anonymous if you wish to.

09/29/2026

The Coalinga Police Department sends its deepest condolences to the family of CHP Officer Brian Liles and his brothers and sisters within the California Highway Patrol. Officer Liles tragically lost his life earlier this evening in a collision near Tipton. Thank you for your dedication to serving and protecting the people of this great state. Rest easy, we have the watch from here.

It is with profound sadness that the California Highway Patrol announces the line-of-duty death of Officer Brian Liles of the Visalia Area.

On September 28, 2026, at approximately 5:11 p.m., CHP Motorcycle Officer Liles was involved in an on-duty traffic crash on State Route 99, just north of State Route 190 in Tipton. He sustained critical injuries and, despite lifesaving efforts, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Officer Liles, 44, served the people of California for more than 16 years. After graduating from the CHP Academy in 2010, he was assigned to the San Jose Area and later served in the Hayward and Fresno Areas before transferring to the Visalia Area in 2019.

Officer Liles is survived by his wife, two children, his parents, and two sisters.

The CHP extends its deepest condolences to Officer Liles’ family, friends, loved ones, and all who served alongside him. His dedication to public service and commitment to protecting the people of California will not be forgotten.