Homeless man arrested for suspected car theft

A recent case involving a homeless man suspected of driving a stolen pickup truck has served to highlight a spike in crime involving unguarded, or otherwise vulnerable vehicles.

James Anthony Lopez, 33, was arrested last week when Madera Police Det. Hector Garibay spotted him pulling out in a sliver 2012 Dodge Ram pickup, to leave an abandoned house on the 1000 block of Garfield Avenue, with a female passenger, according to Madera Police Sgt. Felix Gonzalez.

The pickup that Lopez was said to be driving in had been reported stolen in May.

“They had some information that there was a stolen vehicle in the area,” Gonzalez said. “They saw the vehicle parked at the abandoned house, and as it pulled out, they confirmed the plate, and it came back stolen.” ...