On September 23, 2015, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Investigation Unit received information about a subject trying to sell several bottles of Round Up herbicide out of his vehicle. The herbicide was described as possibly being stolen from a farm.
On September 24, 2015, Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime detectives conducted an undercover operation in an attempt to purchase the Round Up herbicide. Rural Crime detectives met with the subject, identified as JUAN RUIZ DURAN (35), from Wasco, CA, in the 19000 block of Highway 65. DURAN was in possession of eighteen, 2 ½ gallon bottles of concentrate Round Up herbicide estimated value of $2,700.00. During the investigation, detectives learned the 18 bottles of herbicide had been stolen from a local farmer. DURAN was arrested for violation of PC 496(a), possession of stolen property. DURAN was booked into the Central Receiving Facility.
During the investigation, detectives learned LEO VALENZULA, aka EDUARDO HERNANDEZ of Wasco, CA, was possibly involved in the theft. The Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Unit is requesting the public’s assistance in locating LEO VALENZULA, aka EDUARDO HERNANDEZ, for questioning. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of VALENZUELA or this investigation is urged to call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Rural Crime Unit at (661) 392-4365.
