News

Madera Bank America ATM Robbery Suspects Arrested

MADERA – Two individuals are now behind bars following a series of ATM robberies at the Madera Bank of America. Detectives have been actively investigating two robberies that took place at the East Yosemite Avenue bank but their big break came from video of an earlier robbery of a Valero gas station in Tracy California.

The first ATM robbery occurred on February 10th, and the most recent on February 17th. The suspect would walk up to patrons as they approached the ATM and demand the money they withdrew, even going as far as to demand they withdraw more on one occasion.

Missing Person “At-Risk” Mother Who Left Her 4 Month Old Child Unattended Found: Child Endangerment Charges Pending

MADERA – A Madera woman who was reported missing under suspicious circumstances on Valentine’s Day was found the next day. Yesinia Toledo (29) was last seen at her home on North Lake Street. in the County of Madera. Yesinia was described by the Madera County Sheriff’s officials as “at risk”.

After receiving information regarding her whereabouts, the five foot tall, 140lbs Hispanic female with no tattoos was found alive and well on February 15^th at approximately 11:30 pm at a residence in the 1300 block of Concord Avenue in the city of Madera. Based on evidence gathered during the investigation, it does not appear that Toledo was kidnapped nor held against her will, but voluntarily left her 4 month old child unattended.

Coalinga Police Chief, and Former Madera County Undersheriff Michael Salvador Accepts Same Position with Atwater PD

ATWATER – Former Madera County Undersheriff Michael Salvador, who has served the west valley city of Coalinga as their police chief, has been named the new chief of police for the city of Atwater.

The Coalinga Police Department announced last week that Chief Salvador has accepted a 3-year contract from the City of Atwater to become its Police Chief. The Atwater City Council ratified the contract and there will be a swearing-in ceremony during the Atwater City Council meeting on February 25, 2019.

Prisoner Convicted of Mailing Threats to Murder a Federal Judge

FRESNO - After a two-day trial, a federal jury found Cyrus Dennis Braswell, 57, guilty today of three counts of mailing threatening communications, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, a federal judge in the District of Alaska sentenced Braswell in 1998. Thereafter, while an inmate at Mendota Federal Correctional Institute in Fresno County, Braswell mailed communications to Alaska in which he threated to murder the judge after he got out of prison.

Federal Prison Cook Convicted of Conspiracy, Attempted Drug Distribution and Accepting a Bribe

FRESNO - On Tuesday, a federal jury convicted David G. Bruce II, 32, of Merced, with conspiring to provide inmates with prohibited objects; attempting to possess marijuana and heroin with the intent to distribute; and taking a bribe as a public official, Special Agent in Charge James K. Cheng and U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

“The integrity and honesty of correctional officers are critical to the safety of our federal prisons. Our office strives to ensure that individuals who fail to uphold those values, like David Bruce, will be held accountable for their actions,” said James K. Cheng, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General’s Los Angeles Field Office.

Baby Found on County Road in the Middle of the Freezing Night

MADERA RANCHOS - A newborn baby girl was found in the middle of Avenue 13 ½ near Road 36 in the Madera Ranchos early Monday morning. Valley Children’s Hospital officials believe the baby was only 6-8 hours old when found. The baby was found wearing just a onsie with no diaper and a blanket by a local newspaper carrier while he was on his route. The baby's umbilical cord was still attached.

The carrier immediately brought the baby to his car to try and warm her up then called 911. California Highway Patrol and paramedics were dispatched to the area where the child was found within minutes. EMS transported the baby to VCH were she is reportedly in good condition despite being left in the freezing cold for around 30 minutes. The baby is now in the protective custody of the county of Madera's child protective services at VCH's neonatal intensive care unit.

Drunk Driver Tries to Evade Deputy with Child on Lap

FRESNO - A Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy has booked 27 year old Raquel Gonzalez of Fresno into the Fresno County Jail. She faces felony charges of child endangerment, evading police and a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence (DUI). Around 2:00 am on Saturday, a Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver at Highway 99 and Highway 180 in Fresno.

The driver, later identified as Raquel Gonzalez, refused to pull over and a pursuit ensued, with the suspect reaching a top speed of 70 mph. Gonzalez used the Chestnut off-ramp to exit Hwy. 180. She drove to a home on the 4700block of E. Thomas Ave. and stopped. Gonzalez got out of her car holding a three year old girl, later determined to be her niece. The deputy detained Gonzalez and had a California Highway Patrol officer respond to evaluate her for DUI. Gonzalez failed the sobriety tests and was arrested.