Fresno County sheriff’s detectives arrested a 35-year-old Dinuba man accused of burglarizing multiple school sites after deputies recovered about $25,000 worth of stolen power tools, authorities said Wednesday.

Joe Ramos Florez faces charges of burglary, possession of stolen property, and drug possession, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. His bail was set at $15,000, and he has since bonded out of jail.

The investigation began after a burglary during the early morning hours of Aug. 2 at the future site of Clovis South High School near Clinton and Leonard avenues.

Earlier that day, before the burglary was reported, a sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a stolen red Chevrolet pickup near Manning and Englehart avenues in Reedley. The driver stopped, jumped from the truck, and ran into an orchard, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies were unable to find the driver but discovered a variety of power tools in the truck bed valued at about $25,000. The tools were booked into evidence, and the truck was returned to its owner.

A short time later, a contractor working at the Clovis South site reported that a storage container had been broken into and most of the company’s tools were missing. Detectives determined the recovered tools belonged to the contractor and returned them.

Investigators later identified Ramos Florez as the driver who fled from deputies and as the person responsible for the theft, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Detectives served several search warrants before arresting him.

Detectives also linked Ramos Florez to burglaries at Clovis East High School and Lemoore High School, as well as an attempted burglary at Fowler High School, authorities said.

The investigation remains ongoing. Detectives believe Ramos Florez was working with other people to commit the thefts.

Got a Tip?

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Leonard Romero at (559) 600-8711. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867.

Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward. The case number is 26-9006.

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