Vehicle Burglaries Solved in Riverstone
September 6, 2025 – Madera County Sheriff's Office officials report that between August 28 and September 2, 2025, our office received multiple reports of vehicle burglaries and thefts from unlocked vehicles in the Riverstone area. The five incidents involved the theft of a firearm, bow releases, grooming tools, a tool kit, vehicle keys, a stereo, mail, and other property.
Deputies assigned to the Riverstone area quickly identified a connection between the cases thanks to home surveillance footage, which revealed a common suspect vehicle: a black mid-sized SUV.
The case was turned over to the Madera Special Enforcement Team (MADSET), which leveraged Riverstone’s neighborhood security technology to identify the vehicle as a 2008 Ford Edge. This critical lead allowed investigators to identify the suspect as 38-year-old Felipe Martinez Medina of Fresno, who is currently on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) for a prior stolen vehicle offense.
Martinez was arrested by the H.E.A.T. (Help Eliminate Auto Theft) task force in Fresno on September 2nd while in possession of another stolen vehicle. In the following days, MADSET served three search warrants at various locations in the City and County of Fresno. Deputies recovered stolen mail belonging to a Riverstone resident and other stolen property linked to a case in Clovis.
An arrest warrant from Madera County has been issued for Martinez. Once released from Fresno County Jail, he will be transported to Madera County to face charges related to the Riverstone thefts.
“Those who target Madera County should think twice. Our communities are protected by strong law enforcement and advanced technology. Criminals will be stopped, caught, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Sheriff Tyson Pogue.
Madera County Supervisor Jordan Wamhoff emphasized, “Our residents deserve safe and secure neighborhoods, and the deputies are delivering on that promise. Criminals should know that our communities are not soft targets. With modern tools and dedicated law enforcement, offenders will be identified and prosecuted.”
And Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno added, “My office will aggressively prosecute those who victimize Madera County residents. Criminals need to know that we will hold offenders accountable and seek justice for our community.”
Source & photo: Madera County Sheriff's Office
