Coalinga Police Department

08/31/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Date: August 26, 2026
Prepared By/Contact Person: Sergeant Andrew Diaz

Search Warrant Leads to Fi****ms, Ammunition, and Narcotics

On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at about 0130 hours, the Coalinga Police Department conducted an operation involving guns that were in possession of a felon identified as Tomas Zepeda who has resided in Coalinga for three weeks. Tomas is originally from the Bay area and just moved to Coalinga. The Coalinga Police Department authored a search warrant for his address located in the 500 block of Kinney Street Coalinga Ca.

Upon arrival at the above location, officers contacted Tomas Zepeda and two other individuals who were in their vehicle in the front yard. These individuals were later identified as Jack Veeneman Jr. from Coalinga and Giselle Beltran of Fresno. All three subjects were detained while officers made entry into the residence and cleared it for any additional subjects. Once the residence was secured, officers began a search of the residence.

During a search of the residence officers located the following items.

1- AR-15 Semi-Automatic Rifle unregistered
2- 30 round capacity rifle magazine
3- 12-gauge shotgun
4- Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun
5- Multiple handgun magazines
6- Multiple .40 caliber, .45 caliber, 12-gauge shells, .223 rounds, 270 rounds green tip, and .22 long rifle rounds
7- Methamphetamine/Cocaine

Officers took possession of all items and booked them into evidence.

Officers also discovered that the suspects were stealing red diesel gas from different locations. The large box truck they were using along with two large tanks of red diesel fuel (600 gallons) were confiscated and officers will reach out to local agencies to locate the victims.

Tomas Zepeda Jr is being charged with the following charges.

PC 29800 (A) (1)– Convicted felon in possession of firearm
PC 30305 (A) (1)– Felon in possession of ammunition
PC 32310 = Large capacity magazine
PC 30605 – Possession of an assault weapon

Jack Veeneman Jr is being charged with the following charges.

HS 11370.1 – Possess certain controlled substances while armed with a loaded firearm
HS 11350 – Possession of a controlled substance co***ne
HS 11377 – Possession of a controlled substance methamphetamine
HS 11364 – Possession of a drug paraphernalia

08/31/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Date: August 31, 2026

Prepared By/Contact Person: Sergeant Jeremy Fairbanks

WANTED FELON ARRESTED AGAIN

On August 23, 2026, shortly after 12pm, Coalinga Police Department Officers were dispatched to the 100 block of East Houston Street regarding a possible trespasser.

As Officers arrived on scene and began talking to the owners of the residence, several people began to emerge from the residence. As people were exiting the residence officers questioned them and asked if more people were inside the residence. They stated there were none.

Once the occupants had exited the residence, officers began to clear the two-story residence. Once officers cleared the stairwell and approached the front porch they found a subject hiding on the front porch. When officers made contact with the subject, he attempted to flee but soon realized that the jump from the second story porch was not in his best benefit. He quickly surrendered to police.

The male subject was identified as 32-year-old Edgar David Cerventes who was wanted for several felony warrants out of multiple counties for felon in possession of a firearm as well as vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, conspiracy, and mail theft.

Cervantes is known for committing both vehicle and residential burglaries withing the community. Cervantes was later processed at the Coalinga Jail facility and then booked into the Fresno County Jail for his warrants.

While on scene clearing the house, several wallets were found that did not belong to the property owners, nor did any of the occupants inside claim ownership of the property. Further investigation would determine that the items had been stolen from a car in a nearby residential facility and had not yet been reported to law enforcement. The owner of the property was contacted, and it was determined that the property had been taken the night prior. The property owner declined to pursue charges and the property was returned.

The Coalinga Police Department would like to remind the community that it is important to lock their cars each day, and to refrain from leaving valuables inside their vehicles. It is important to lower the opportunity for those looking to take advantage of our residents.

08/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Date: August 6, 2026
Prepared By/Contact Person: Sergeant Andrew Diaz

Search Warrant Leads to Guns and Ammunition

On Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at about 2pm, the Coalinga Police Department, in partnership with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium (MAGEC), participated in an investigation involving a felon, identified as Pedro Gonzalez Sanchez out of Coalinga, being in possession of fi****ms. Officers with the Coalinga Police Department wrote a search warrant for an address in the 800 block of Mustang Way in the City of Coalinga.

Upon arrival at the address, deputies/officers made several announcements for the occupants inside of the residence to come out. After several minutes, one female juvenile exited the residence without incident. After several more announcements, deputies/officers made entry into the residence and did not locate anyone else inside. During a search of the residence, officers located two handguns, a .22 R***r (registered) and 9mm Springfield (not registered). Also located were several rounds of ammunition inside one of the rooms inside of the residence. Officers took possession of the handguns and ammunition and booked it into evidence.

Pedro Gonzalez Sanchez later turned himself in and is being charged with a Convicted Felon in Possession of Firearm, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, and being in possession of an unregistered firearm.

08/02/2026

Come by and see our booth. We have a limited number of bicycle helmets, bicycle lights, and locks we will be giving out to the kids who bring their bicycles or scooters with them.

National Night Out is days away!

Join us on Tuesday, August 4, from 5:30–8:00 PM at the Downtown Coalinga Plaza for an evening of community, safety, and family fun!

Start at the City of Coalinga Booth to pick up your backpack and bingo card, then visit participating booths to collect school supplies. 550 school supply kits will be available while supplies last!

Enjoy:
🎶 Live music
🛍️ Local vendors
💦 Kids’ Foam Fun Zone
🎯 Dunk tank
🚒 Meet your local Fire Department
🚔 Connect with the Police Department
🚧 Learn about city projects from Public Works
🎁 Fun activities, giveaways, and valuable community resources

Bring your family, meet your neighbors, and celebrate the partnerships that help keep Coalinga a safe and connected community. We can’t wait to see you there!

07/16/2026

The Coalinga Police Department will be conducting a training exercise in the 2000 block of San Pablo this evening. You will see several officers and patrol cars in the area but do not be alarmed they are just training.

07/08/2026

This map shows the areas in which the police department is seeing crimes occur this year. As you can see, thefts are one of the main concerns, just under assaults.

06/18/2026

Congratulations Corporal Seese on this well deserved award!

🏆 Congratulations to Corporal Coti Seese on being recognized with a 2026 MADD Law Enforcement Recognition Award!

This prestigious recognition highlights Corporal Seese’s outstanding dedication to public safety and commitment to keeping our community safe. Through professionalism, vigilance, and service above self, Corporal Seese exemplifies the values of law enforcement and the ongoing effort to prevent impaired driving, support the victims of those violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking and other drug use.

The City of Coalinga and the Coalinga Police Department are proud to celebrate this well deserved honor and thank Corporal Seese for his continued service to our community.

Please join us in congratulating Corporal Coti Seese on this remarkable achievement!

06/17/2026

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Date: June 17, 2026
Prepared By/Contact Person: Sergeant Jeremy Fairbanks

WANTED SUBJECT FROM WATSONVILLE ARRESTED IN COALINGA

On June 14, 2026, the Coalinga Police Department was notified by the Watsonville Police Department that a subject wanted for attempted murder was potentially hiding in the City of Coalinga. The subject, 62-year-old Hipolito Meza, had an active Ramey warrant for Attempted Murder, Assault With a Deadly Weapon, and for Participation in a Criminal Street Gang, all of which were committed outside the City of Coalinga.

The Coalinga Police Department has had several contacts with Hipolito and was familiar with his potential location.

On June 15, 2026, at about 10:15 am, officers located Hipolito near his residence in the city. Hipolito was contacted and taken into custody for the Ramey warrant without incident.

Hipolito was later turned over to detectives from the Watsonville Police Department to be booked into their county jail.