MADERA – A second suspect has been arrested in last months killing of a Tackle Box cashier. Madera County Sheriff Jay Varney announced Saturday the arrest of Savirant Singh Athwal, 24 years old of Fresno, was arrested shortly before 5 PM Friday during a vehicle stop on Highway 99 north of Avenue 18 ½.
Savirant Singh Athwal is the cousin of the first suspect arrested in this case. Athwal was booked into the Madera County Department of Corrections on a no-bail warrant for murder and robbery. This morning Athwal faced a Madera County Superior Court judge for arraignment on the charges. Both suspects have pled not guilty.
The Court has ordered Mr. Athwal to remain in custody in that this is a no-bail case, due to the fact that the potential punishment is life without the possibility of parole, or death. The case is currently set for a pre-preliminary hearing in department 23 of the Madera Superior Court on January 4, 2018.
A preliminary hearing was also set for January 12, 2018. Both hearings will be held in front of Madera Superior Court Judge, Ernest J. LiCalsi. Madera County District Attorney David.A. Linn stated, “This is a very important case for all citizens and many members of the Madera community.”
The second suspect was arrested without incident during the traffic stop. The Madera County Sheriff’s Department is not releasing any further involving the arrest or investigation. However according to Commander Bill Ward, they do not believe there are any futher outstanding suspects involved.
The victim Dharahmapreet Jasser (21) was shot to death at the Tackle Box gas station November 13th. He was here in the US on a student visa, studying at Fresno City College.
The other suspect in his murder, Amritaj Singh Athwal, was arrested after his truck went off the road near Kerman, with guns were found in his car. Both suspects could face a life sentence without parole, or even the death penalty if convicted.
Madera County Sheriff’s Detectives have been actively following leads on this case since it occurred. Additional follow-up investigation is currently underway so no further details are being released at this time.
Detectives continue to seak any further information related to this case. Anyone with information is asked to call deputies at (559) 675-7770 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867.
