More than 130 law enforcement personnel from 17 local, state and federal agencies carried out a large-scale operation across Fresno County on Wednesday, and planned to serve warrants at more than 50 locations in what the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office called its first “Operation Gold Star” since 2021.

Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni said the operation, named after the Sheriff’s Office badge, targeted suspects throughout the county and involved agencies including the California Highway Patrol, Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Forest Service, Fresno Police Department, amongst others.

He said similar coordinated operations are expected to continue.

GV Wire accompanied one task force assigned to serve four warrants in remote areas around Auberry and into the Sierra National Forest.

The team included deputies with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife officers.

About the Task Force’s Warrants

The first warrant involved misdemeanor Fish and Game violations.

As deputies approached the property, the suspect fled on foot into the forest without a shirt. GV Wire observed officers chase the man through dense vegetation while dogs barked from nearby properties.

At one point, a small dog charged toward an officer before being restrained, briefly adding to the tense search.

A neighbor told GV Wire the suspect had shot a wild turkey and previously threatened to put bullet holes in the neighbor’s vehicle. Authorities deployed a K-9 during the search, but the suspect was not found.

The second warrant involved a misdemeanor hit-and-run investigation. GV Wire observed deputies take that suspect into custody without incident.

At another location, deputies searched a property containing numerous abandoned buildings and vehicles that appeared to be used for drug activity.

The suspect associated with that warrant, identified by deputies as a registered sex offender, was not located.

A fourth suspect sought at a separate location also was not found.

12 Arrests Made in the Operation

By the end of the operation, deputies and officers had served warrants or conducted enforcement activity at 41 locations across Fresno County. The operation also included nine probation searches and two parole searches, resulting in 12 arrests.

Among those arrested was Mark Cruz, 36, of Auberry, who had outstanding warrants from Clovis alleging evading police, ramming a police vehicle, and illegal firearm possession.

Also arrested was Ronnie Lovejoy, 26, of Friant, who was wanted on warrants alleging a parole violation and illegal weapon possession.

Adrian Johnson, 44, of Auberry, was also taken into custody on outstanding warrants alleging domestic violence and illegal weapon possession.

Officials said anyone taken into custody during the operation would be booked into the Fresno County Jail.

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