Property crimes detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office have arrested 39 year old Mirko Butkovic of Fresno. He has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on felony charges of robbery, carjacking, possession of a firearm by a felon and drug possession. His bail has been set at $711,000.
Around 7:00 am on December 18th, two men were working in a vineyard located near the intersection of Chestnut and American Avenues in Fresno. During this time, two men approached them armed with a rifle and handgun. They demanded the field workers hand over their wallets, cell phones and car keys. The victims did so and the two suspects fled. One drove away in the victim’s 2001 red Mitsubishi Montero and the other drove a blue 1996 Chevrolet Suburban. The victims, who were not injured, flagged down a motorist in the area who helped them dial 911 to make a report to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
On December 20th, a Fresno Police officer located the stolen Mitsubishi Montero in the area of Fillmore and Hayston Avenues in Fresno. Fresno County Sheriff’s property crimes detectives responded and recovered the vehicle. They then developed information about one of the suspects involved with stealing the Mitsubishi. His name, Mirko Butkovic.
On December 21st, deputies stopped a 1996 blue Chevrolet Suburban, which was driving in the area of Highway 180 and the Van Ness exit. Inside, deputies found Mirko Butkovic. He was taken into custody and deputies searched the SUV. Inside the vehicle they found 1.2 lbs. of packaged marijuana, a loaded handgun and a small amount of methamphetamine. Detectives later served a search warrant at Butkovic’s home on the 600 block of E. California Ave. and found evidence linking him to the robbery and carjacking.
This is an ongoing investigation and the second suspect remains outstanding. Anyone with additional information on this case is asked to contact Detective Carl Chalmers at (559) 600-8174 or Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
