Exeter Police Department

The intersection at Visalia Road and Belmont Road is closed due to construction, and is expected to be closed for approximately two weeks. During this time, no traffic will be allowed through the intersection and detours must be used. Trying to drive through the intersection despite all of the posted signs, cones, etc. is not only against the law, but it also places the workers in danger. Officers are working this area and will write citations for violators who elect to ignore the signs and still try to drive through the intersection.

On March 19, 2021, shortly after midnight, Exeter Police Officers responded to the 300 block of South C Street in Exeter. The caller reported seeing an unknown person in his vehicle which was parked in front of his residence. When Officers arrived the subject, later identified as Anthony Upkins (24 years of age), was still in the vehicle. As Officers attempted contact with Mr. Upkins he attempted to flee on foot. After a brief chase, Mr. Upkins was apprehended. Inspectio...n of the vehicle revealed a broken window and damaged steering column, indicating Mr. Upkins was likely attempting to steal the vehicle. At the time of his apprehension, Mr. Upkins was also found to be in possession of a backpack which contained stolen property from the victim’s vehicle. Mr. Upkin was also determined to be on active parole. He was transported and booked at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department on multiple charges.

This past Friday we congratulated Exeter Police Officer Mark Knox on his retirement from the Exeter Police Department. Mark attended the Police Academy in 1997 and soon thereafter went to work with the Woodlake Police Department. At Porterville, Mark worked in numerous roles; Patrol Officer, DUI Officer, Field Training Officer, and Detective. Mark eventually promoted to Sergeant and worked as a Patrol Sergeant, Traffic Sergeant. Detective Sergeant, and Administrative Serg...eant. In 2018 Mark came to the Exeter Police Department and has again served with distinction. In his short time here he has worked in Patrol, was a Field Training Officer, and an Officer In Charge. Throughout his career Mark has helped to train and mentor numerous officers who have gone on to have successful careers in multiple agencies. While Mark will be retired he won’t stop working. He will be continuing serving his community and working in the field of law enforcement, only now he will be doing it as an Investigator with the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office. We wish Mark well in his new endeavors!

Sheriff Boudreaux Announces Promotion of New TCSO Assistant Sheriff, Captain and Lieutenant Sheriff Boudreaux is pleased to announce the following promotions w...ithin the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Captain Chris Wenzinger has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Sheriff. Assistant Sheriff Wenzinger began his career with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office in 1991. He has worked at the Main Jail, Pixley Substation, Patrol and Rural Crimes, the Women’s Correctional Facility, the Porterville Substation, Headquarters Patrol, Internal Affairs and Property Crimes. Assistant Sheriff Wenzinger is supported by his wife of 34 years, Carol, and two sons; William and Roger, who is a Correctional Deputy for the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office. Lieutenant Harold Liles has been promoted to the rank of Captain. Captain Liles began his career at the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office in 1997 as a Patrol Deputy. He has worked at the Pixley substation, in the Narcotics Unit, Men’s Correctional Facility, Porterville Patrol, South County Gang, North End Property, the Juvenile Division, Pixley Substation, Court Services and the newly created Youth Development Unit. Captain Liles earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management from Union University. He is supported by his wife of 25 years, Kerrie, and their five children; Jasmine, Tanisha, Ayana, Darius and Keylan. Sergeant Mario Sandoval has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Lieutenant Sandoval was born in Fresno and raised in the Reedley area. He began his law enforcement career in 1994 with The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, where he worked as a Correctional Deputy assigned to the Bob Wiley Detention Facility and the Main Jail. He has also worked at the Cutler-Orosi Substation, in General Investigations, at the Adult Pre-Trail Facility, Patrol and in the Tulare Area Gang & Narcotic Enforcement Team (TAGNET). Lt. Sandoval lives in Reedley with his wife, Lillian. They have two children; Melissa and Nicholas. Nicholas is also a Detective with the Sheriff’s Office. #tularecounty #tularecountysheriff #tcso #promotions

Over the last several days we have seen a significant increase in thefts from vehicles. More often than not, these thefts are occurring in vehicles that have been left unlocked. We strongly encourage everyone to remove all valuables from their vehicles at night, and most importantly, to lock their vehicles whenever left unattended. These simple steps can help prevent becoming a victim of theft.

Type of Incident: Probation Violation, Juvenile in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm with Serial Number Removed Date/Time of Incident: December 13, 2020/9:15 PM Location of Incident: Exeter, CA... Suspect: 16-year-old male Dinuba resident On December 13, 2020, at approximately 9:15 PM, Exeter Police Officers responded to an Exeter residence where they contacted a 16-year-old male. It was determined the male was wanted for violations of his probation and had an active warrant for his arrest. He was also determined to be in possession a semi-automatic handgun with the serial number removed. He was taken into custody without incident and was lodged at the Tulare County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Today we remember and honor all of those whose lives were lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of California Highway Patrol Officer Andy Ornelas who was killed in an on duty traffic collision.

Type of Incident: Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Short Barreled Shotgun, Child Endangerment, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving without a License Date/Time of Incident: December 7, 2020/7:40 PM Location of Incident: Kaweah Street and Pine Avenue... Arrested: Thomas Cruz, 32 year old Porterville resident On December 7, 2020, at approximately 7:40 PM, Exeter Police Officers conducted a traffic stop on a Kia Optima in the area of Kaweah Street and Pine Avenue for a vehicle code violation. The driver, Thomas Cruz, was determined to be unlicensed. Inside the vehicle Officers located a loaded, short barreled, sawed off shotgun, and drug paraphernalia. Mr. Cruz was taken into custody and transported to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department where he was booked on several felony and misdemeanor charges.

Type of Incident: Possession of Stolen Property, Resisting Arrest/Delaying an Officer, Misdemeanor Warrants Date/Time of Incident: December 1, 2020/6:40 PM Location of Incident: Quince Avenue and Pine Streets, Exeter... Suspects: Tatum Bratcher, 19 year old Exeter resident Nathan Orta, 19 year old Visalia resident Dayna Towery, 19 year old Visalia resident On December 1, 2020, at approximately 6:40 PM, Exeter Police Officers were patrolling in the area of Quince Avenue and Pine Street when they observed a vehicle commit a traffic violation. When Officers went to stop the vehicle, the occupants fled the vehicle on foot. It was subsequently determined the vehicle had been reported as stolen from Ivanhoe. Officers from the Woodlake and Farmersville Police Departments responded to assist and a search was conducted for the occupants who had fled. The passenger, Tatum Bratcher was located hiding in a nearby garage and was arrested for delaying an officer. The driver remains at large but investigators are following up on leads as to his identity. During the search, Officers located an additional vehicle that had been stolen out of Tulare. The driver of that vehicle, Nathan Orta, was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle. The passenger, Dayna Towery, was found to have an outstanding misdemeanor warrant for her arrest.

Santa Claus is coming to Exeter!!!!! We just received word that Santa Claus will be visiting Exeter on December 3rd, 10th, and 17th. Starting at 6 PM each day, Santa will be visiting different sections of the city while riding in the back of a vintage fire truck and with a police escort. Unfortunately, he will not be able to stop for pictures, but will be driving through the neighborhoods to wave and spread holiday cheer! On December 3rd, he will be visiting Exeter, west of... the railroad tracks that run through the middle of town. On December 10th, he will visiting Exeter, east of the railroad tracks that run through the middle of town. On December 17th, it is Santa’s choice and he will visit those areas he was unable to visit previously, or those areas he thinks could use some extra holiday cheer! Be sure to listen for the police siren and watch for the flashing red and blue lights which will signal his passing through. Come out and wave, and show that no matter what, we still have extreme amounts of holiday cheer in Exeter! Depending on weather conditions, Santa may have to cancel his visit, so let’s keep our fingers crossed that it does not rain, nor get too cold while he here!

Yesterday Traci Prideaux was sworn in as a Reserve Police Officer for the Exeter Police Department. Traci is very familiar with pubic service and works full time as a Public Safety Dispatcher with the Tulare County Sheriff's Department. Being a Dispatcher is one of the most difficult and thankless jobs in public safety and we are grateful for her service there. Traci will soon start her field training in Exeter so be certain to keep an eye out for her and welcome her to ...our community. The swearing in ceremony took place outside in an effort to maintain social distancing and be mindful of precautions to avoid the spread of Covid19.