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Police Report

Man hit by freight train dies

A man was killed Friday when he sat on the tracks near Princeton and Maroa avenues in central Fresno and was struck by a southbound freight train, police said.

The name of the victim, a 47-year-old Fresno man, was withheld pending notification of relatives.

Police Sgt. Henry Jacobo said the train's engineer sounded his horn when he saw the man sitting on the tracks about 12:30 p.m.

The man looked at the train, then turned his face away and remained seated, Jacobo said.

The engineer applied the brakes, but it was too late; he could not stop and avoid hitting the man, Jacobo said.

Effort yields traffic citations

Fresno police cited 139 motorists for running red lights and 56 drivers for speeding in a weeklong, unpublicized Operation STOP campaign that ended Friday.

As part of Operation STOP -- Strict Traffic Offender Program -- 14 people were given tickets for right-of-way violations and 53 vehicles were impounded, Sgt. Eric Hodge said.

In addition, 53 people were arrested for having outstanding warrants, Hodge said.

Motorcyclist dies in collision

VISALIA -- A 54-year-old man died Friday after he was struck by a tractor-trailer while riding his motorcycle on Road 68 near Goshen.

The name of the victim is not being made public, pending notification of relatives, said officer Charles Mosley of the California Highway Patrol.

The motorcyclist was northbound on Road 68 when the big-rig turned in front of him, Mosley said.

The motorcyclist struck the big-rig on the right-hand side of the cab and died shortly after impact.

No alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident. Mosley said he did not know whether the driver of the big-rig would be cited.

Pedestrian struck, killed

HANFORD -- A pedestrian died Thursday after being struck by a vehicle in the 900 block of south Lacey Boulevard.

Police said they arrived on scene to find Alfredo De Los Santos, 59, unconscious and severely injured in the roadway.

De Los Santos was taken to Central Valley General Hospital but died a short while later, police said.

The driver of the vehicle was not drinking and was released at the scene, police said.

Teen boy shot in Hanford

HANFORD -- A 16-year-old boy was shot multiple times Thursday by unidentified suspects driving in a vehicle in the 700 block of south Redington Street.

The vehicle was traveling northbound on Redington at Scott Street when the suspects fired shots at the teen-ager, police said. The vehicle then fled the scene.

Male and female suspects were in the car, along with several small children.

The Kings County Gang Task Force and the Fresno Police Department later found the vehicle in Fresno, according to a police report.

Two adult females and two male juveniles were taken to Hanford and booked into Kings County Jail on attempted murder and child endangerment charges, police said.

The 16-year-old boy was in fair condition at Hanford Community Hospital, police said.

Gunman robs parts store

VISALIA -- Police are looking for a suspect accused of brandishing a gun and robbing a Kragen Auto Parts store Thursday.

The suspect pretended to shop at the store, in the 1300 block of North Ben Maddox Way, and then walked up to the cash register as if he were going to pay for an item, police said.

When the clerk started to ring up the item, he showed a gun hidden in his waistband underneath his jacket and told the clerk to empty the cash register.

The suspect then walked out the front door with an undetermined amount of money.

Another clerk and customer briefly chased the suspect but stopped when the suspect flashed a gun at them.

The suspect last was seen running past the Exxon-One Stop Service Station at the corner of Ben Maddox Way and Houston.

He is described as a Hispanic male between 19 and 23 years old.

Anyone who may have seen the suspect fleeing the area is asked to call the Visalia Police Department at (559) 738-3257.