Three suspects have been arrested and one remains outstanding following an armed robbery and pursuit Monday evening. Last night just after 6:30 PM, four suspects drove into the Target parking lot at Clovis/Shaw and robbed 2 adults at gunpoint, getting away with personal property before speeding away. As 911 calls were coming in, dispatchers directed officers to the area. An officer nearby tried pulling the suspects over, but they refused to stop, and a pursuit lasting over 20 miles began. The suspects crashed their car near an orchard east of Kerman after getting stuck in mud. As they ran and hid, officers converged on the area, setting up a perimeter with the assistance of the Fresno Sheriff’s helicopter and Fresno Police officers. The Clovis Police armored rescue vehicle (Bearcat) was also brought out to keep our officers safe while they searched for the armed suspects.

During the search inside the perimeter, officers located and arrested 3 suspects. An assault rifle and handgun, both loaded, were also located during a search of the suspect’s car and the area of the crash. One suspect is a juvenile and was booked into the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Center. The 2 adult suspects in custody have been identified as 20-year-old Jose Mitra Barrios and 18-year-old Abel Sanchez Martinez, both of Madera. All 3 suspects are facing charges of armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon (firearm), evading officers, and felony charges related to the firearms. Both adult suspects have been booked into Fresno County Jail. This morning, 1 suspect remains outstanding, and it’s been discovered that the victims and suspects are known to each other.

If you have any information regarding this incident, we ask that you call Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP or submit an anonymous tip using our free mobile “Clovis Police” app. Thankfully, no one was injured during the robbery and pursuit.