CHOWCHILLA - On Saturday, August 10th, Officers from the Chowchilla Police Department were dispatched to a residence where an occupied burglary had just occurred, meaning the resident/occupants were present when the suspect made illegal entry. After a verbal exchange between the victim and suspect, it was determined the suspect stole keys from the residence and then took the victim’s car without consent.

The suspect fled the scene and the victim’s vehicle was later recovered in the City of Madera. Officers continued follow up investigation into the following day, when they received information that the suspect was in a local store in the city prior to this event. Officers responded to the store for follow up and when they entered the store, the suspect was inside the store again and fled from officers out the back door of the store.

On Sunday, August 11th, officers converged on an area known to be frequented by the suspect and while conducting foot patrol it was determined the suspect was inside a residence. When officers attempted contact, the suspect barricaded the front door. Officers were able to breach the front door and with a limited visual check determined the suspect entered into the attic area to attempt to hide. The Madera Sheriff's Department, along with a K-9 from our department was requested. During this time officers were able to make verbal contact with the suspect and negotiated with him, convincing him to come out of the attic and peacefully surrender.

The suspect was identified as Ruben Vela Hernandez Jr. Mr. Hernandez was a wanted parolee out of Tulare County and had a caution bulletin issued for having violent tendencies. He was booked into the Madera Department of Corrections for occupied residential burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, obstruction of a peace officer and a warrant for violation of parole. We would like to thank the all of the public who assisted and were patient during the capture of this suspect.