Two held in cases of throat-slashings

Madera County Sheriff’s Office deputies rounded up suspects in assaults, after one victim and then another were found seriously injured.

The roundup started Aug. 28 when deputies were dispatched to the area of Apache Road and Road 417 for reports of a victim with a slashed throat. When deputies arrived on scene, they discovered a 34-year-old white male adult victim whose throat had been cut.

The victim was treated at the scene by EMS and transported to a regional Valley hospital. The attacker, meanwhile, had fled the scene, according to sheriff’s spokeswoman Kayla Serratto.

During a subsequent interview with sheriff’s detectives, the victim provided a physical description of his attacker, and identified him by name as Samuel James Rodriguez.

Later that same evening, at approximately 10:16 p.m., Deputies responded to a 911 call in the 47000 block of Delaware Court in Coarsegold about an adult male trespasser in the backyard of a residence. The suspect’s description matched that of Samuel James Rodriguez, whom Sgt. Jacob Tallmon located fleeing on foot nearby. Rodriguez was taken into custody, and booked in at the Madera County Department of Corrections on a hold for violation of his post-release community supervision.

The following morning, on Aug. 29, at around 8:50 a.m., Madera County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 32000 block of Delaware Court for a reported assault that had occurred the previous night.

Upon arrival at the scene, deputies located a 45-year-old Hispanic male adult victim with serious injuries. The victim was treated at the scene by EMS and transported to a regional Valley hospital. In his statement, the victim provided a physical description of his attacker, which matched the description of Rodriguez. He also identified a second attacker, Joe Perez. Later during the investigation, a vehicle matching the description provided by the first victim as belonging to the suspect was located in the area.

Madera County Sheriff’s Office detectives subsequently located and arrested 51-year-old Joseph Perez of Coarsegold, who was booked into the Madera County Department of Corrections on felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, and mayhem. Rodriguez, also of Coarsegold, was formally booked on two felony counts of attempted murder, as well as a felony count of attempted arson.

Both subjects remain in custody, and the investigation is ongoing. If anyone has information regarding this incident please contact the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at 675-7770.