MADERA COUNTY – Sheriff John Anderson credits a call from a vigilant citizen in the apprehension of a Kerman couple now facing narcotics and grand theft charges.Yvette Majarro, 21, and Alexander Tafoya, Jr., 24, were taken into custody shortly after 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 12.
A citizen phoned in a tip about suspicious activity near an orchard, reporting that a white Dodge Chrysler was parked along the roadway on Avenue 12 ½ near Road 24, and a woman tossing out items from the trunk of their car.
Tafoya was lying in the backseat but quickly sat up when Deputies Mathew Kutz and Michael Gordon arrived. The first thing that caught their eye was the prominent shiner on his eye.
He claimed he got punched by someone who had accused his girlfriend of theft.
As to why they were parked on the side of the road, Tafoya said they ran out gas.
Deputies couldn’t help but also notice dozens of T-handle irrigation valves and gate valves. The couple claimed to have found them on the side of the road a short distance from where they pulled over.
In addition to the metal, deputies also found three glass pipes all containing a white powdery substance believed to be meth.
Tafoya, who was out on bail on theft and narcotic charges in Fresno, was booked into Madera County Department of Corrections on suspicion of grand theft, possession of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property and committing a felony while out on bail. His bail was set at $60,000.
Majarro was booked on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tool, criminal conspiracy and grand theft. Her bail was set at $10,000.
The case is still under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at 559-675-7770 or CRIME STOPPERS at 559-498-STOP. Anonymous callers can also phone in tips regarding illicit drug activity to the MADNET hotline at 559-675-7776.
