(Nov 25 2008) - Porterville Police Dept - Press Release
by Sgt. Larry Rodriguez - Porterville Police Dept :
On November 25, 2008, at approximately 8:22 a.m., Porterville Police Officers were dispatched to the 2200 block of West Roby regarding a white male who was bleeding and walking down the street intoxicated and armed with a handgun.
The subject, later identified as Ronald Bridgeford, was located walking northbound on Westwood Street from Roby Avenue.
Bridgeford was detained without incident and found to be in possession of a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun.
Bridgeford was intoxicated and had a history of mental illness. Further investigation led officers to Bridgeford’s residence in the 1900 block of West Roby where it was determined that Bridgeford had possessed the handgun within 1000’ of Summit Charter Academy; however, no students were in danger during the incident.
Porterville Police Department’s General Investigations Unit responded and obtained a search warrant for Bridgeford’s residence. During the service of the search warrant, Officers seized six more handguns, five rifles and two shotguns.
Bridgeford was arrested for the aforementioned charges and booked into the Tulare County Jail.
For more info regarding this case contact Investigating Officer(s)
Officer(s) Mike Benas #136, Det. Rick Carrillo #152 and or Supervisor Sgt. Brian Nix at 782-7400.
