FRESNO COUNTY - Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested 29-year-old Austin Medford of Riverdale. He has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges of vehicle theft and arson.  His bail is set at $125,000. On Wednesday, detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Ag Task Force followed up on a reported theft of a tractor used for harvesting hay.  It went missing in the area of Riverdale and Walnut Avenues.  

Detectives eventually found the tractor abandoned less than three miles away near Harlan and Marks Avenues.  While at this new location, detectives learned a Caterpillar 950H Wheel Loader had been stolen from the property.  Detectives followed the loader’s tire tracks west, towards Chateau Fresno Ave.  During this search, dispatchers received phone calls of a vegetation fire near Chateau Fresno and Mount Whitney Avenues.  Detectives responded to that area, as did patrol deputies and firefighters with Cal Fire – Fresno County Fire.  

There, they contacted Austin Medford, who was with the Caterpillar Wheel Loader.  Additionally, firefighters discovered evidence that Medford intentionally set dry grass on fire.  Fire personnel used multiple fire engines and a bulldozer to extinguish the brush fire.  Nobody was injured and no structures were damaged by the fire. 

Medford was arrested for arson and the theft of two tractors valued at $180,000. 

Although an arrest has been made, if you have additional information about Austin Medford, report it by calling the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111.  Tips may also be submitted to Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867 or online at www.valleycrimestoppers.org  You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.  Reference case #26-4923.