Visalia Man Convicted of Burglary, Stealing Safe and Guns

Today in Department 5 of the Tulare County Superior, Visalia Division, a jury convicted David Bias, age 48, of first-degree residential burglary, commercial burglary, grand theft of a firearm, and unlawful taking of a vehicle. Each count is a felony. Bias possesses a 2015 auto theft conviction and a 2010 identity theft conviction.

On January 1, 2017, an employee of the victim went to check on the victim’s property in Visalia. Upon reaching the house, he discovered a work truck stuck in the mud, which had not been there when he checked the property the previous day. Through investigation, Tulare County Sheriff’s detectives discovered that a safe found in the bed of the truck had been removed from the house and the keys to the truck had been removed from a business located on the same property. Detectives learned that cash and multiple firearms had been stolen from the safe.

When the victim learned the safe had been opened, he told detectives that he believed it was Bias who had committed the crime, as he was the only other person to possess the combination, having been a caretaker of the property and an assistant in the past. Bias was taken into custody in June of 2017 after warrants were issued for his arrest.

Bias is facing up to 10 years, 4 months in state prison at sentencing.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Matthew Earl of the Rural Crimes Unit and investigated by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Assistant District Attorney Dave Alavezos (559) 636-5494