Ray Coleman mug shot 2016
BASS LAKE — Madera County Sheriff’s Office investigators are searching for one of the two men suspected in the home invasion robbery and assault in Bass Lake Annex on Saturday, Nov. 18.
One arrest has been made, but deputies are still looking for Ray Coleman, 23, of North Fork.
Coleman has been arrested five times since 2011 on charges of drunk and disorderly, assault with a deadly weapon, threatening with intent to terrorize, battery causing serious bodily injury, strong armed robbery, negligent discharge of a firearm, and public fighting.
Coleman and Alvin McDonald III are the two men identified by the Sheriff’s Office as having forced their way into a home in the 36000 block of Cedar Lane last Saturday, assaulting a 77-year-old woman and robbing the home, making off with a handgun, a wedding ring and a set of keys. The firearm has since been recovered by investigators.
The female resident resisted the intruders and suffered at least one severe blow to the head, according to the Sheriff’s Office. She was airlifted to a Valley hospital, and remains in critical condition.
Her adult son, who has suffered a previous brain injury, attempted to intercede, but the altercation was too violent for him to be effective against the attack on his mother. He was not injured during the robbery, and is assisting law enforcement to as great a degree as possible.
Alvin McDonald III
McDonald, 18, of North Fork, was taken into custody this morning at about 11 a.m., after deputies arranged through a family member to assist in the suspect meeting with law enforcement. Deputies were then able to make contact with McDonald “in a manner that would not lead to a confrontation,” according to Sheriff Jay Varney.
McDonald was arrested for attempted murder, robbery, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon-firearm, elder abuse, conspiracy, and using a firearm during the commission of a felony. Coleman will face the same charges once he is apprehended.
“Coleman is an individual known to get into trouble in the North Fork and rural Fresno County area,” says Sheriff Varney. “He has had previous issues in the area, and should be considered violent and dangerous.”
It is not known at this time if there was any connection between the suspects and the victims, but the investigation has not shown evidence of that. Detectives also don’t yet know if this particular home was an intentional target, or if this was a crime of opportunity.
It is believed that the two suspects fled the home on foot, and there is no description of a vehicle connected to the crime.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at 559-675-7770 or Valley Crime Stoppers at 559-498-STOP.
“Due to the violent nature of this crime, Coleman should be considered dangerous,” says Sheriff Varney, who encourages anyone who knows his whereabouts to not approach him, but to call 911 or either of the numbers listed above.
