River Trail Investigation Arrest
August 9, 2024 – Madera Police Department officials report they and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office have made an arrest following a string of violent assaults against women using our river trail over the past several months.
The suspect, 36-year-old Victor Hugo Valencia Reyes, has been booked into the Madera County Jail on multiple felony charges including Kidnapping, Attempted Kidnapping, False Imprisonment, Robbery, Criminal Threats, Illegal Use of Tear Gas, Possession of Tear Gas by Prohibited Person, Possession of Firearm by Prohibited Person, Possession of Ammunition by Prohibited Person, Child Endangerment, and Battery.
The River Trail Investigation was launched following an incident on June 15, 2024, when the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a reported attempted kidnapping from a female who had been exercising on the Fresno River Trail around 8:45 a.m. The female reported that she had been approached by a Hispanic male adult who brandished an unknown weapon at her, claiming he had a gun. The male forced the victim to walk towards the orchards near the Fresno River and bound her wrists. She was able to escape and ran through the orchards towards Road 23 where she was able to call 9-1-1 to alert the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies conducted an investigation which included canvassing the area. During their search, they recovered footwear impressions which were believed to have been left by the suspect, as well as the object used to bind the victim’s wrists.
On June 26th at approximately 9:45 a.m., the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a report from an unrelated female who had been exercising on the Fresno River Trail. The female relayed that as she was on the trail, a male subject approached and attempted to grab her and force an unknown object into her mouth. The victim was able to escape the assailant’s grasp and ran away to call for help. During the attack, the suspect was able to take the victim’s car keys and wireless headphones.
Sheriff’s Deputies once again responded to the area to conduct a search for the suspect. In light of this second incident, the Madera County Regional SWAT team, along with OHV’s, K9’s, drones and aerial surveillance from multiple local agencies, provided support during the search. During this search, multiple individuals were contacted and a search warrant for a nearby homeless encampment was completed. Despite a nearly 5-hour sweeping search of the surrounding area, including the Fresno River, the suspect was not located.
The suspect description in both cases, along with the geographic location and method of attack, was similar enough that both cases appeared to be linked. Based on this information, the Sheriff’s Office launched a comprehensive investigation, led by the Madera Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team (MADSET), to identify the individual involved. Between June 30th and July 16th, MADSET conducted multiple undercover and surveillance operations to identify and detain the person responsible for these attacks.
In all, 13 undercover operations were conducted, and various covert surveillance cameras were deployed. During that time period, Deputies conducted randomized patrols and conducted field interviews with individuals in the area. They also responded to multiple tips from concerned citizens who believed they had seen the potential suspect. Additionally, regular overflights of the area were conducted by both drone and fixed wing aircraft.
On August 3rd around 9:00 p.m., the City of Madera Police Department received a report of a third female who had been attacked along the Fresno River Trail near Riverview Dr. and Granada Dr. During the attack, the victim was assaulted with pepper spray but was able to escape the area and alert the police department. Madera Police Detectives and members of the Madera Special Investigations Unit Task Force conducted a follow up investigation on this incident.
During their investigation, they were able to recover images captured on the previously deployed surveillance cameras showing a suspect in the area around the time of this incident. Further details led to the identification of an apartment located in the 200 block of South “K” St. in the City of Madera. In the afternoon of August 7th, members of the Special Investigations Unit, along with Madera Police Detectives and members of the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team, served search warrants at the apartment. During the service of the search warrants, items linking Victor Hugo Valencia Reyes to the three attacks were discovered. As a result of this search warrant, Mr. Reyes was taken into custody and booked at the Madera County Jail.
The Sheriff’s Office and the Madera Police Department salute the diligent work of the investigators, officers and deputies from both agencies who spent countless hours investigating this incident. Both agencies would like to thank all the citizens of the County and City who called in with tips and provided information in an effort to bring these attacks to an end.
Sheriff Tyson Pogue reflects, “The successful resolution of this case highlights the unwavering dedication and seamless collaboration between the Madera Police Department and the Madera Sheriff’s Office. Our combined efforts and shared resources have ensured the safety and security of our community, demonstrating the strength of our law enforcement partnerships.”
It is important to note that we believe Victor Hugo Valencia Reyes may have traveled to other counties during the period of these assaults. We urge anyone who has experienced similar incidents or has any information related to this suspect to come forward. Please contact your local law enforcement agency or reach out directly to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone who may have information regarding additional victims should call our office at (559) 675-7770. Tips may also be emailed to MCSOTip@maderacountycom. Anonymous tips may be made through Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867), or by texting “Tip MaderaSO” followed by your message to 888777. Tips can also be made on the Madera County Sheriff’s Mobile App: MaderaSheriffApp.com.
Source: Madera Police Department
Related: Madera Police Warn the Public to be Aware, After a Woman was Attacked on the Fresno River Trail
