On Tuesday, June 9, 2015 The Fresno Police Department responded to the Wal-Mart at Herndon and Ingram for a report of a robbery. During the robbery, the Loss Prevention Officers reported they were attacked by several females who were stealing items from the store.
On, Sunday July 12, 2015, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Lane and Chance. During the traffic stop officers discovered the vehicle was wanted in connection with that robbery.
The officers impounded the vehicle as evidence and identified all occupants.
Southeast Robbery Detective Donnie Dinnell was able to identify the three females involved in the crime as Monica Cortez 32 years old, Breanna Cortez 20 years old, and Thannya Tejadilla 18 years old, all of Fresno.
Monica is a self-admitted gang member. The other two are gang associates.
During Detective Dinnell’s investigation he learned Monica and Breanna Cortez were also involved in a very lucrative fraudulent check cashing and identity theft scheme. They passed over 26 fraudulent checks at a local credit union, stealing over $15,000.00. Detective Dinnell was able to recover most of the stolen money and property.
Monica Cortez was booked into Fresno County Jail on 122 felonies and 11 misdemeanors for her part in the crimes. Breanna Cortez was booked into Fresno County Jail on 5 felonies. Thannya Tejadilla was booked into Fresno County Jail for the two robbery cases.
