Four Arrested in Connection with Commercial Burglary in Oakhurst
Above: Scene of crashed van near Madera Canal
Photo credit: Madera County Sheriff’s Office
Four people have been arrested in connection to a commercial burglary in Oakhurst.
According to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded early on Sunday, Sept. 29, to a burglary alarm at Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure on Highway 41.
The alarm company reported two masked individuals stealing bicycles and loading them into a white van. A deputy arrived within five minutes and confirmed that a burglary had taken place, though the van was no longer at the location.
A deputy patrolling near Coarsegold spotted a white Ford E-350 van heading south on Highway 41. The driver reportedly refused to stop, leading deputies on an 11-mile pursuit.
After spike strips were deployed at the intersection of Highway 41 and Highway 145, the van continued on flat tires before crashing near the Madera Canal, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Four individuals fled the vehicle. Deputies apprehended three individuals almost immediately and identified them as Orlan Doser, 62, Earwin McCullar, 58, and Manuel Tejeda, 57, all from Fresno.
The fourth suspect, Isaac Alvarez, 27, also from Fresno, was located and arrested later.
Eight stolen bicycles, valued at over $20,000, were recovered from the van and returned to the owner of the store.