MADERA - In mid October of 2017, Madera County Sheriff’s Office Ag Crimes department received a report of numerous fuel thefts that had occurred at an equipment yard in the 28000 block of Avenue 14. Suspect and vehicle descriptions were derived during the course of the investigation.

The suspect was then observed on a neighboring property in early December, and Madera County Sheriff’s Office Detectives subsequently located the suspect vehicle parked at a residence 14000 block of Road 28, which was seconds away from the location of where the thefts had occurred.

On January 4, 2018, shortly before 1:00 pm, Madera County Sheriff’s Office Detectives and Deputies executed a search warrant in the 13000 block of Road 28 in Madera. Evidence located at the residence linked the tenant of the property, James Alexander, to the series of fuel thefts that had been reported in October. A subsequent search of Alexander’s vehicle yielded additional evidence tying him to the diesel thefts.

Alexander has been charged with Grand Theft, Receiving/Transporting Stolen Property, as well as numerous other charges unrelated to the thefts, and is currently in custody at Madera County Department of Corrections.

It is suspected by the Madera County Sheriff's Department that Alexander stole diesel fuel from the victim’s property at least eight times over a period from October through December. The estimated loss is over $950.

If you have any information on this case or other ag crimes you are asked to contact the Madera County Sheriff's Department at (559) 675-7770.