Man arrested outside Fresno city attorney’s home on threat charges

A knife-carrying man was arrested outside Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz’s North Van Ness Boulevard home after deputies responded to a trespassing call around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, May 17, and found what authorities described as a threat that crossed into burglary territory.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were sent to the residence between Ashlan and Shields avenues after a report of trespassing. They contacted Larry Torrez, 56, of Fresno, who was later booked into Fresno County Jail on charges of trespassing, attempted burglary and threatening a public official. Authorities said Torrez was found carrying a knife.

Surveillance video aired by local TV showed a man ringing the doorbell with a knife in his hand at 3:30 a.m., then moving into the backyard, jumping the fence and banging on the back door as a deputy moved in. The footage gave a rare look at how quickly a suspicious knock at a public official’s home can turn into a law-enforcement response at a sensitive address tied directly to City Hall.

Torrez appeared in Fresno County Superior Court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to attempted burglary and trespass. A judge set bail at $30,000. The case has added to concern around the safety of local officials outside working hours, especially when a home becomes the scene of an apparent confrontation.

Janz said the incident was traumatic and said his family, including his young daughter, was inside at the time. He said he believed the episode was an escalation and may have involved someone who knew who he was or had some connection to his work. Janz said he returned to work the next day and would not let threats or violence deter his office.

ABC30 reported that Torrez is known to Valley law enforcement and public officials, has several prior felony convictions and has filed multiple lawsuits against the City of Fresno. Fresno prosecutor Victor Lai described Torrez as having “a fixation with the Fresno Police Department.” The backdrop is a city attorney’s office that Janz has led since his appointment in December 2022, overseeing about 39 attorneys and 190 support staff with an annual budget of about $32 million.