A clerk was pistol-whipped during an armed robbery at a Visalia convenience store early Wednesday as authorities linked the crime to a string of violent offenses across Tulare and Kings counties that ended with three arrests following a police pursuit in Hanford, the Visalia Police Department reported.

Visalia police said officers were dispatched about 2:05 a.m. to a 7-Eleven on South Mooney Boulevard after receiving reports of an armed robbery that had just occurred.

Investigators said three masked suspects entered the store armed with handguns and demanded money. During the robbery, the store clerk was struck with a handgun while the suspects stole cash from the register. The clerk was not seriously injured, police said.

Suspect Fled the Scene

The suspects fled in a black vehicle driven by a fourth person and headed south on Mooney Boulevard, according to police.

While investigating the robbery, Visalia officers learned Porterville police had responded earlier, at about 1:23 a.m., to an armed carjacking involving three armed suspects. Authorities determined the stolen vehicle from that incident was the same vehicle used in the Visalia robbery, police said.

About 3:34 a.m., Visalia police were notified that Hanford police were pursuing the suspect vehicle. The pursuit ended after the vehicle crashed in Hanford, where officers arrested three suspects and recovered a firearm, authorities said.

Investigators also determined the suspects had committed an armed robbery in Lemoore before the pursuit, police said.

Visalia officers later identified the suspects and vehicle as connected to the Visalia robbery and assault with a deadly weapon investigation.

Those arrested were identified as a 16-year-old juvenile, Michael Ortiz, 18, and Esteban Santanabaeza, 20, all of Porterville. All three were booked into the Kings County Jail, police said.

Got a Tip?

Authorities said a fourth suspect believed to have driven the getaway vehicle remained at large Wednesday morning.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information was asked to contact the Visalia Police Department at (559) 734-8117.

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