MADERA COUNTY – An Oakhurst man believed to be linked to several burglaries in the Oakhurst area is behind bars. Deputies say video surveillance helped them identify the suspected thief.
John William Cotey, 30, was captured Monday morning, Dec. 10, outside a gas station in Oakhurst.The self-described peckerwood, who is currently on parole, has been linked to a number of burglaries, including a nursery in Oakhurst where video recordings captured him removing two surveillance cameras from the complex, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.
Inside Coty’s vehicle, deputies reportedly seized approximately 47 grams of marijuana, 6 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 3 hydrocodone pills, numerous other drug paraphernalia, as well as suspected burglary tools.
The stolen surveillance cameras along with numerous other stolen items, including a checkbook from a Subway shop in Oakhurst were recovered from a storage unit, and returned to the victims, according to a news release.
Based on information deputies have gathered so far, they do not believe Cotey acted alone.
Anyone with information is asked to call either the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at 559-675-7770 or CRIME STOPPERS at 559-498-STOP.
Cotey is now facing numerous felony charges, and remains in jail on a parole hold.
