MADERA - Madera County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan King conducted a self-initiated patrol check on February 27th around noon in the 19000 block of Road 24 due to a recent burglary and thefts in the area. The deputy observed a pick up truck inside the gate of a vacant property for sale. He noticed several items in the bed of the truck, including sheets of metal and a large roll of chain link fencing.

A female subject emerged from underneath the pick up where she had been hiding. She identified herself to Deputy King as Maria Hernandez, a 39 year old female from Madera. She indicated to Deputy King that she was informed no one owned the property and therefore she could collect things on the property for recycling.

Deputy King was advised by Dispatch that Hernandez was wanted for an active misdemeanor warrant out of Madera County. During the course of his investigation, Deputy King recovered a full tool bag and a large pair of bolt cutters from inside the truck. He also recovered a large electrical circuit panel from the bed of the truck along with the fencing and sheets of metal.

Hernandez was taken into custody and was transported and booked in at Madera County Department of Corrections without incident for felony theft, misdemeanor possession of burglary tools, and a misdemeanor Madera County warrant.