VISALIA, Calif. — Visalia Police have arrested 19-year-old Aidan Mendez after a weekend theft and vandalism spree at the Visalia Country Club that resulted in more than $33,000 in stolen property and damage.
Shortly before 4 a.m. Sunday, three men climbed a fence at the country club and targeted three golf carts — one privately owned with keys inside and two belonging to the club without keys, according to General Manager Ryan Lancaster.
Security cameras captured the suspects joyriding and reportedly using the private cart to push the club’s carts around the course, causing significant damage. Lancaster described their behavior as “running amuck,” including possible bumper-cart-like activity on the greens.
The men stole a golf bag from the private cart containing golf clubs, equipment, jewelry, and cash valued at over $17,500. The private cart was flipped, sustaining approximately $15,000 in damage, while the club’s carts suffered an additional $1,000 in damage.
Investigators traced the suspects to a vehicle in Exeter, leading to Mendez’s arrest later that day. Officers recovered nearly all the stolen items from his car.
Mendez was booked into the Tulare County Adult Pretrial Facility facing charges of vehicle theft, grand theft, vandalism, and conspiracy. The two other suspects remain at large as police continue their search.
