The incident started just outside of Orange Cove, near Road 128 and Avenue 456. Deputies say they responded to a house after someone reported a theft in progress. They say the suspect got into a dark-colored car and rammed the deputy's car, striking the front left side. That's when the deputies opened fire.
"It's unknown if the suspect or the vehicle was struck by gunfire or not; we're diligently checking the area for that," said Tulare County Sheriff's Lt. Mark Gist.
Deputies chased the suspect but lost him near Avenue 460 and Road 128. Investigators found the car at an orchard near Road 128 and Avenue 472.
The suspect is described as a male adult, bald, wearing glasses, last seen wearing an unknown colored t-shirt with a distinctive logo of a female wearing a ball cap with a circle and a star in the center, shorts, and unknown type light color shoes.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Tulare County Sheriff's Office.
