July 14, 2026 – Madera County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol Oakhurst Area are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a suspect involved in the theft of a UTV, trespassing, and grand theft.
On Sunday, July 12, 2026, a UTV was reported stolen from the Road 416 area and was later located traveling northbound on Highway 41. Following a brief pursuit by CHP, the suspect abandoned the vehicle near Highway 41 and Celechovsky Court before fleeing on foot into the brush toward Road 425.
A short time later, the suspect was captured on a Ring camera on Serpa Canyon tampering with a residential water pump. When CHP officers arrived, he fled into the brush once again. CHP Air Operations (H-42) searched the area, but the suspect was not located due to the dense vegetation and rugged terrain.
Just before 3:00 p.m. on Monday, the suspect was located at Camp Oakhurst off Mudge Ranch Road. Camp staff escorted him off the property, and he was last seen in the area of Mudge Ranch Road and Thornberry Summit Road.
Since fleeing from law enforcement, the suspect is believed to have trespassed on private property and committed a grand theft in the area.
The suspect is currently wanted by:
California Highway Patrol for vehicle theft (Vehicle Code 10851)
Madera County Sheriff’s Office for trespassing (Penal Code 602) and grand theft (Penal Code 487)
Suspect Description:
- Adult male, approximately 55 to 65 years old
- Green and black pajama pants
- Black hooded sweatshirt
- Distinctive facial tattoos
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding the identity and/or whereabouts of this suspect to please contact: (559) 675-7770
Tips may also be emailed to: MCSOTip@maderacounty.com.
Anonymous tips may be made through Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867), or by texting “Tip MaderaSO” followed by your message to 888777.
Tips may also be made on the Madera County Sheriff’s Mobile App: MaderaSheriffApp.com.
Source & photos: Madera County Sheriff’s Office
