Coalinga Police Department

06/08/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Date: June 8, 2026
Prepared By/Contact Person: Sergeant Andrew Diaz

Search Warrant Leads to Narcotics

On Thursday, June 4, 2026, at about 3:15pm the Coalinga Police Department, in partnership with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC), participated in an operation involving narcotics and guns. Officers with the Coalinga Police Department wrote a search warrant for an address in the 21000 block of Wauwa Avenue in the City of Riverdale.

During the search of the residence, officers located illegal narcotics (Khat) and collected them for evidence. Ali Nagi Hussein of Riverdale was arrested for being in possession of narcotics and charges will be forwarded to the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office for possession of a controlled substance.

This investigation started in the City of Coalinga and carried over to the City of Riverdale through further investigation. The Coalinga Police Department will continue to prosecute those who are responsible for bringing/supplying narcotics to the community.

05/12/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Date: May 12, 2026
Prepared By/Contact Person: Commander Sean Young

K9 BOSS ASSISTS IN TAKING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPSECT INTO CUSTODY

On May 9th, 2026, at about 11:54am, officers were dispatched to an active physical fight between a male and female in the 600 block of W. Elm Avenue. Upon arriving in the area, officers located a juvenile female running north bound on W. Elm Avenue, away from the scene. Officers contacted the juvenile female and determined that she fled the scene of the reported physical fight and was running for help. Officers placed the female juvenile inside the back of a patrol car and transported her back to the 600 block of W. Elm Avenue.

Upon arrival in the 600 block of W. Elm Avenue, officers found that Coalinga resident, Tomas Hilario Negrete, was involved in a physical altercation with his female partner, whom he shares a child with, and then fled the area. Officers obtained identifying information for Negrete and the vehicle that he reportedly fled the scene in. Officers determined, through the course of their investigation, that felony domestic violence crimes occurred.

Officers put out a ‘Be on the Lookout” (BOL) for the suspect vehicle and entered Negrete’s license plate into the city camera license plate recognition (LPR) system. Coalinga Police Dispatch alerted officers at about 12:30pm that the city camera “LPR” system caught Negrete’s vehicle traveling west from the intersection of W. Polk Street and Monterey Avenue.

Officers responded to the area and located the vehicle as it traveled south on Derrick Avenue. Officers initiated a felony vehicle stop just south of the intersection of Derrick Avenue and Tractor Avenue. Coalinga Police Department canine “Boss” arrived on scene to assist, at which time the suspect Negrete was ordered out of the vehicle at gun point. Negrete exited the vehicle with his hands up at which time officers observed a bulky large bulge in the front pocket of the hooded sweatshirt Negrete was wearing.

Negrete for unknown reasons, lowered his hand and reached into the front pocket of his sweatshirt (without being told to do so by officers) and turned his body away from officers. Officers perceived an immediate threat that Negrete was possibly trying to access a weapon of some kind, at which time Canine “Boss” was released to apprehend Negrete.

Negrete was taken into custody without further incident and transported to Coalinga Regional Medical Center where he was treated and medically cleared for the canine application. Negrete was then transported and booked into the Fresno County Jail for violations including Domestic Abuse, Child Endangerment, Resisting / Obstructing an Officer, and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.

05/04/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Date: April 24,2026
Prepared By/Contact Person: Corporal Brady Kaiser

SUSPECT ARRESTED IN VEHICLE THEFT

On April 23, 2026, officers were dispatched to 550 E. Elm Ave, DG Market, regarding a report of a vehicle being stolen. It was found the owner of the vehicle had left the keys in the vehicle’s door, while they went inside the store.

While officers were conducting the investigation, they were able to review video surveillance and talk with witnesses who knew who the suspect was that stole the vehicle. The suspect was identified as Huron resident Rosita Yvette Bobadilla.

Using the City’s video surveillance cameras and license plate readers, the vehicle was located and last seen driving eastbound on E. Polk St., leaving the city of Coalinga. At this point, surrounding agencies were notified, including the Huron Police Department and the California Highway Patrol. At about 1:32 pm, the Huron Police Department stopped the vehicle in Huron and Bobadilla was taken into custody without incident.

Just a friendly reminder from Coalinga Police Department: Hide Your Things, Lock Your Vehicle, and Take Your Keys.

05/04/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Date: May 4, 2026
Prepared By/Contact Person: Sergeant Andrew Diaz

SEARCH WARRANT LEADS TO NARCOTICS AND GUN

On Friday, May 1, 2026, at about 8:30 am, the Coalinga Police Department served a narcotic based search warrant at 301 W. Polk Street in the City of Coalinga. During the search warrant service, officers located several items that are related to the sales of narcotics. The occupant who was residing at the unit, Coalinga resident Adan Rivero, was taken into custody along with his girlfriend, Joseline Montellano.

During the search of the residence, officers also located an illegal, privately manufactured (Ghost gun), 9mm Glock-style pistol inside of the residence.

Rivero was arrested for charges including, Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Possession of an Unserialized Firearm, Child Endangerment, Possession of Methamphetamine For Sale, Possession of Controlled Substance While Armed with a Loaded Firearm, Possession of Scanner While Using it in the Commission of a Crime

Montellano was arrested for Child Endangerment and Willfully Resisting or Delaying a Public Officer

Both subjects were transported to the Coalinga Police Department for booking and were later transported to Fresno County Jail on the above charges.

04/22/2026

04/20/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Date: April 17, 2026
Prepared By/Contact Person: Sergeant Andrew Diaz

TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO SEARCH WARRANT

On April 14, 2026, officers conducted a vehicle stop on a blue 2010 Honda for a vehicle code violation. The driver, Rigoberto Perez, was contacted and determined to be under the influence of alcohol and was subsequently arrested for DUI. Officers searched the vehicle incident to arrest and found 19 rounds of unspent 45ACP ammunition inside of a backpack. No firearm was located. It was revealed that Perez was a convicted felon with prior gang enhancement violations.

Officers then wrote a search warrant for Perez’ residence in the 800 block of Hazelhurst street in the City of Coalinga.

On Friday, April 17, 2026, at about 11:15am, the Coalinga Police Department, in partnership with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC), served the search warrant and located a .45 caliber handgun along with several rounds of ammunition inside one of the rooms. Officers took possession of the handgun and ammunition and booked it into evidence.

Rigoberto Perez was already in custody for DUI. Additional charges for Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Felon in Possession of Ammunition were added and filed with the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office.

04/19/2026

Another congratulations to Stacy Anderson for being nominated by her peers as the 2025 Public Safety Dispatcher of the Year for the Coalinga Police Department. With over 19 years of service with the agency, Stacy has been more than just the Records Clerk she was hired as in 2007. Over the years she has taken on more responsibilities, including covering shifts in dispatch for entire rotations and eventually taking on the role of a certified Communications Training Officer, all while still handling her records duties. It is often said that places would fall apart without “that one” employee and for us, Stacy is truly that person.

04/13/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Date: April 13,2026

Prepared By/Contact Person: Sergeant Jeremy Fairbanks

SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR FELONY DUI AFTER FLEEING COLLISION SCENE

On April 10, 2026, at about 5:40pm, officers responded to an injury traffic collision at the intersection of Elm Avenue and Seventh Steet. The collision was between a white Chevrolet pickup truck and a red Honda Accord. It was learned the white pickup, and its driver, had fled the scene shortly after the impact had taken place.

The Coalinga Fire Department arrived quickly and began assessing damage and injuries. The driver of the red Honda Accord was unable to exit the vehicle due to potential injuries and damage to the vehicle. The Coalinga Fire Department had to cut open the door to access the driver and provide medical treatment. After being removed from the vehicle, the driver was placed into a nearby ambulance and transported to a nearby hospital.

While processing the scene the front license plate of the suspects’ vehicle was found in the debris. The vehicle was found to have been registered to Ernesto Salatiel Avina Rodriguez out of Coalinga.

With the help of the community, officers quickly located the suspect vehicle in the 100 block of Monroe Street. The vehicle was parked on a neighboring property with the front of the vehicle pointing towards the house, and away from the view of the street in an attempt to conceal the damage. According to those familiar with the truck this is not normal parking of the truck.

While officers were gathering information, Rodriguez arrived home and admitted to driving the vehicle and leaving the scene, attempting to minimize his version of the collision. While talking to Rodriguez it was determined that he was possibly under the influence of alcohol, which he denied. Rodriguez provided a breath sample which showed his Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was .10%, over the legal limit.

Rodriguez was arrested for felony DUI with injuries and felony hit and run.

The Coalinga Police Department would like to remind the public that you should never operate any motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are going to consume alcohol, find a ride, the consequences are not worth it.

04/13/2026

National Prescription Drug –happening Saturday, April 25, 10am-2pm. You can drop off your unneeded Rx drugs here at the Coalinga Police Department or find a collection site near you: www.DEATakeBack.com

is a free event for communities nationwide to properly dispose of old and unneeded medications safely and anonymously. On Saturday, April 25, from 10am-2pm bring those old and unneeded medications to a collection site near you: www.DEATakeBack.com

It's Spring, time to CLEANUP your medicine cabinet of unneeded Rx meds and drop them off on April 25, 10am-2pm, local time, for proper disposal. Find out where now: www.DEATakeBack.com

Unused or expired prescription medications are a public safety issue. Proper disposal of unneeded drugs saves lives and protects the environment and our overall community. Share this post and start preparing now for the next , April 25. www.DEATakeBack.com

Dispose of your unneeded Rx drugs, no questions asked! is Saturday, April 25, 10am-2pm. Find a collection site near you at www.DEATakeBack.com