Madera man faces kidnapping charges

A Maderan is facing charges of kidnapping and vehicle theft after a caller reported her vehicle stolen — with her teenage daughter inside.

An argument broke out between the alleged victim and her boyfriend, Jonathan Daniels, on the evening of June 7, according to Cmdr. Bill Ward of the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. It was after this confrontation that Daniels reportedly stole the caller’s vehicle with her 15-year-old daughter still inside, and deputies were sent to the home on Western Way.

The automobile was spotted by deputies, at which point, according to Ward, Daniels pulled off the road, turned off the lights and ran.

“The girl was not in the vehicle, and was later found back at her residence unharmed,” Ward said. Other law agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, joined in the search and a Fresno police K9 eventually located Daniels hiding in a tree...