Members of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Ag Task Force have arrested 27-year-old Kishan Sangha of Del Rey.
He’s been booked into the Fresno County Jail on felony counts of vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, evading a peace officer and probation violation (AB109).
Ag Task Force detectives developed information that Sangha was attempting to sell a stolen forklift to a previous buyer he met through a Craigslist internet posting. Detectives worked with the potential buyer to set up a meeting with Sangha so they could respond to investigate the sale.
On Wednesday at approximately 4:30 pm, detectives were in the area of the meeting location and saw Sangha driving a pickup truck near Hwy. 180 and Fowler Ave. Detectives attempted to initiate a traffic enforcement stop, but Sangha refused to pull over and sped away. A pursuit was initiated and several nearby patrol units assisted. Sangha’s speed reached approximately 70 mph and at one point he crossed over a concrete median and drove into oncoming traffic. During the chase, Sangha side-swiped the mirror of a passing pickup truck. Fortunately, the man driving that truck was not injured. The pursuit finally came to an end at Fowler and San Gabriel after Sangha's pickup truck broke down. Sangha surrendered and deputies arrested him without incident. Paramedics were called into to treat a minor cut on Sangha’s hand.
Detectives continued their investigation and found a stolen forklift and trailer in the area of Butler and Locan, stashed along a canal bank. Information obtained from Sangha also lead them to two other stolen tractors.
"Kishan is a known drug user who unfortunately preys on the agricultural community. He steals metal, vehicles, trailers, tractors and that's all basically to support his drug habit," said Sgt. Ryan Hushaw of the Fresno Sheriff's Ag Task Force.
Sgt. Hushaw also issued a warning to potential buyers. "If someone is trying to sell a $20,000 forklift for $2,000 or $3,000 and it looks like it's in great shape, that's probably a red flag."
Detectives are asking anyone with information on Kishan Sangha to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).
