By Aaron Burgin, The Porterville Recorder

A $10,000 reward has been offered by Sheriff's Department officials to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of Maria “Mary” Sanchez's killer.

Tulare County Secret Witness Program officials hope the financial incentive will encourage anyone with information to contact law enforcement.

“We are asking assistance and more help in locating, arresting and convicting of suspects,” Sgt. Chris Douglass said. “We're asking for the public's help.” Douglass said the department will start posting flyers advertising the reward after a 9 a.m. news conference Wednesday.

Members of the Sanchez family, Sheriff Bill Wittman and Violent Crimes Unit personnel will be present at the news conference. The development occurs 12 days after Sanchez, 68, was shot and killed when two masked men robbed the La Tienda Market in Strathmore the night of Sept. 1.

Sanchez and her grandson were closing the store when the men came in, demanding cash from the register. After Sanchez complied with their request, one of the men reportedly shot at Sanchez and her grandson, missing him but hitting her in the abdomen. Sanchez died from excessive bleeding caused by the gunshot wound, according to the coroner's report.

Hundreds of mourners attended Friday's funeral for Sanchez, whose family is considered a pillar of the community of 3,000 north of Porterville. The family has owned La Tienda since 1966, when Mary and Fernando Sanchez purchased the market with profits from growing tomatoes.

Sanchez is survived by seven children and more than 30 grandchildren.

Contact Aaron Burgin at 784-5000, Ext. 1047, or aburgin@portervillerecorder.com.

This story was published in The Porterville Recorder on Sept. 13, 2006