Two men from Chowchilla were arrested by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office on felony charges.

A Madera County Sheriff Deputy conducted a traffic stop at around 3:00 Thursday morning.

Deputy E. Andrade conducted the traffic stop in the area of CA-41/Serpa Canyon Road in Coarsegold. During the traffic stop, it was determined that the driver, 36-year-old Michael Coleman, and passenger, 34-year-old Jason Williams, both of Chowchilla, were in possession of two stolen catalytic converters, burglary tools, narcotics, and narcotic paraphernalia.

Both were booked into the Madera County Jail on felony charges of possession of stolen property, and several misdemeanor charges.

The subjects admitted to stealing the equipment from Ford pickup trucks in the Oakhurst area. We are still attempting to identify the burglarized vehicles.

If you live in the Oakhurst area, own a Ford truck, and determine your catalytic converters has been stolen, please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 675-7770.

Sheriff Tyson Pogue states, “I commend Deputy Andrade for his diligence and attention which resulted in these arrests and property recovery. Theft cases of this nature are inherently difficult to solve, and we hope to return the equipment to its rightful owners. During this holiday season, our graveyard patrol teams remain steadfast in protecting our community.”