VISALIA (KMJ) — Two suspects have been arrested after three homicides and almost a decade of investigation by Visalia Police.
29 year old Noel Herrera and 33 year old Fabio Del Real have been arrested in connection with the incidents in 2010, 2014, and 2017. All three victims were shot and killed.
The first incident was January 9th 2010.
“Our victim is 26 year old Diego Lupercio who was shot and killed in the area of Giddings and Elowin” explained Chief Jason Salazar.
The second incident was April 24, 2014.
“That occurred at Linwood and Tulare Avenue in the City of Visalia, in south Visalia. That victim was Larry Knight III who was 25 years of age.”
The third incident was February 18th, 2017.
“Our 21 year old victim Eduardo Ceballos was shot and killed in the 1700 block of North Leslie.”
Both suspects are members of the same gang. Herrera is facing three charges of murder with gang enhancements. Del Real is facing one charge of murder relating to the incident in 2014.
Chief Salazar said a CHP Officer’s traffic stop on Noel Herrera provided a significant lead.
“He discovered a firearm that was in the vehicle. Ultimately arrested Noel Herrera for being in possession of a firearm and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
“That was communicated to the Visalia Police Department violent crime detectives.”
Experts established that the gun was involved in the 2017 homicide, and the car Herrera was driving was used to link him and Del Real to the other incidents.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
