MADERA COUNTY–The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect in two recent ATM thefts in the mountain area. (Pictures are available at the end of the article.)
Bass Fork Theft
The first theft occurred on July 18, 2024, around 2:30 AM at the Bass Fork Star Valero. The business sustained extensive damage. An unknown male used an industrial concrete saw to cut through the metal security cage and front doors. The suspect wrapped a steel cable around the ATM and attached it to a truck to rip the machine out. The truck used in the theft was located a short time later, along with the ATM, abandoned on Road 222. It was determined the truck had been reported stolen out of Fresno County a few days prior to the burglary.
Yosemite Lakes Park Theft
On August 2, 2024, shortly before 4:30 AM, the ATM at the Valero gas station in Yosemite Lakes Park was burglarized. Responding Deputies discovered the store’s ATM in the parking lot and extensive damage to the front doors of the business. Upon reviewing surveillance footage, a male suspect is seen using a concrete saw to gain access into the store. Then, he is seen using a cable attached to a truck to remove the ATM.
A witness reported the damage to the store and the ATM lying in the parking lot, as well as a gold colored Chevrolet truck circling the business. The truck, later determined to be stolen, fled the scene later crashed on Yosemite Springs Parkway, west of CA-41. A citizen observed the incident and saw a large-framed male exit the truck and flee.
Based on the similarities in these cases, detectives believe the same suspect committed both of the ATM thefts at Bass Fork and the Valero in YLP. We are asking the community for help in identifying the suspect(s) in these cases.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Madera County Sheriff’s Detective Padgett at (559)474-2302. Tips may also be emailed to MCSOTip@maderacountycom. 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
