COARSEGOLD – Two Coarsegold men are behind bars in connection with separate attacks in the Indian Lakes area that sent two victims to the hospital.
On Tuesday, Aug. 28, at approximately 4:36 p.m., Madera County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies responded to the area of Apache Road and Road 417 for reports of a victim with a slashed throat.
When deputies arrived on scene, they located a 34-year-old white male adult victim. The victim was treated at the scene by EMS and transported to a Valley hospital. The attacker reportedly fled the scene prior to deputies’ arrival.
Samuel James Rodriguez
During a subsequent interview with MCSO detectives, the victim provided a physical description of his attacker and identified him by name as James Rodriguez.
Later that same evening, at approximately 10:16 p.m., deputies responded to a 911 call in the 47000 block of Delaware Court regarding an adult male trespasser with blood on his clothing in the backyard of a residence.
The suspect description matched that of Rodriguez, whom Sgt. Jacob Tallmon located fleeing on foot nearby. Samuel James Rodriguez was taken into custody and booked in at the Madera County Department of Corrections on a hold for violation of his Post Release Community Supervision (parole).
The following morning, on Aug. 29, at around 8:50 a.m., Madera County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 32000 block of Delaware Court for a report of an assault that had occurred the previous night.
Upon arrival at the scene, deputies located a 45-year-old Hispanic male adult victim with serious injuries. He had reportedly been beaten and stabbed, and the attacker had poured gasoline on him and tried to light him on fire. When his lighter failed to work, the attacker reportedly ran away.
The victim told deputies that the attacker had broken his phone and he was too “freaked out” to call for help. The victim was treated at the scene by EMS and transported to a Valley hospital.
In his statement, the second victim provided a physical description of his attacker which matched the description of Rodriguez. He also identified a second attacker, Joe Perez, who had apparently joined in the beating.
Later in the investigation, a vehicle matching the description provided by the first victim as belonging to one of the suspects was located in the area.
Joseph Perez
Madera County Sheriff’s detectives subsequently located and arrested 51-year-old Joseph Perez of Coarsegold, who was booked in at the Madera County Department of Corrections on felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and mayhem. Perez is being held on a $100,000 bond.
Samuel James Rodriguez, 34, of Coarsegold was formally booked on two felony counts of attempted murder, as well as one felony count of attempted arson. He is being held on a $1 million bond.
Rodriguez has at least six previous arrests since 2009 including possession and sale of a controlled substance, recklessly evading a peace officer, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, DUI, driving on a suspended license, lying to police about his identity, and violation of parole.
Both subjects remain in custody and the investigation is ongoing.
If anyone has information regarding this incident please contact the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at 559-675-7770.
