Suspect jailed for 2 armed robberies in Visalia

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A man is behind bars for allegedly robbing a pair of businesses in Visalia. The suspect was identified as 25-year-old John Martin Torales.

The first robbery happened at the Valero gas station in the 4400 block of West Noble Avenue on June 17, and the second happened at the 7-Evelen in the 1200 block of South Mooney Boulevard on June 25. Visalia police say Torales walked into the businesses, pointed a gun at the clerks and demanded money. They say on both occasions he got an undisclosed amount of cash and took off in a vehicle.

Investigators say Farmersville police officers arrested Torales for a parole violation on an unrelated incident on Saturday. At the time, he was with 26-year-old Estevan Gomez, who was killed in an officer-involved shooting inside the Farmersville police station later that night.

Authorities served a search warrant at Torales' home on Monday. Police say they found evidence which linked him to both robberies. Torales is being held in the Tulare County Jail on suspicion of armed robbery.