Visalia Police Arrest Two In Tulare Weapons Raid

Authorities recovered automatic weapons and manufacturing equipment at a residence on the 900 block of Belmont Street.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Drug Crime

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a suburban house silhouette, using navy and cream with deep red to evoke a law enforcement raid.
Visalia police arrested two suspects following a weapons raid in Tulare that yielded automatic firearms and illicit manufacturing equipment. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe aggressive police searches for illegal firearms effectively improve safety in your community?

Visalia police arrested two people after executing a search warrant at a Tulare home on the 900 block of Belmont Street. Officers confiscated a variety of firearms, including stolen guns and automatic weapons, along with conversion equipment.

Why it matters

Detectives launched an investigation after receiving tips that Fernando Sanchez Medrano was actively selling fully automatic firearms. The raid also uncovered an active marijuana grow operation inside the residence.

Fernando Sanchez Medrano faces multiple firearms-related charges and resisting arrest, while 18-year-old Alyse Fernandez is charged with resisting arrest.

The players

Visalia Police Department

This law enforcement agency serves the city of Visalia and conducted the investigation and search warrant execution.

Fernando Sanchez Medrano

He is a 21-year-old individual arrested for his alleged involvement in the sale and manufacture of illegal automatic weapons.

Alyse Fernandez

She is an 18-year-old individual who was arrested alongside Medrano for resisting arrest.

The details

Police arrived at the residence at 6 a.m. and apprehended both suspects in a neighbor's backyard after they attempted to flee the property. The scene yielded high-powered rifles and specialized equipment used to manufacture and illegally convert firearms.

Timeline

  1. Detectives began investigating the suspects in September 2026.

  2. Police served the search warrant at 6 a.m. on October 21, 2026.

Legal Context

This enforcement action aligns with ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal, modified firearms governed by the National Firearms Act. Such operations often target the intersection of illegal manufacturing and local distribution networks.

The police operation resulted in the recovery of numerous illegal firearms from a residential neighborhood. Residents on the 900 block of Belmont Street may see increased patrols as investigators continue to process the evidence collected at the scene.

The takeaway

Illegal modification of firearms poses a significant safety risk to any residential neighborhood. Community members should report suspicious activity to local police to help prevent the proliferation of such weapons.

Further reading

For more information on regional safety and enforcement, visit the Tulare Drug Crime section.

Live Poll

Do you believe aggressive police searches for illegal firearms effectively improve safety in your community?