Photos: Madera PD
Two people were recently arrested after allegedly committing crimes while using a stolen vehicle, according to Madera Police.
A Madera PD officer was dispatched to O’Reilly’s Auto Parts for a report of theft. An employee at the store told the officer someone had stolen an automotive jack and fled in a waiting black Ford Explorer.
The employee was able to provide the officer with a plate number and, within minutes, the officer found the suspect vehicle in the parking lot of Lowe’s on Cleveland Avenue.
One of the suspects — identified as 42-year-old Matthew Cromer — tried to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended. The second suspect — identified as 30-year-old Cruz Galvez — was arrested after getting out of the vehicle, police said.
The Explorer turned out to have been reported stolen out of Fresno, and was wanted in connection to a robbery that had occurred in Fresno earlier that day, police said.
Both were arrested on multiple charges related to theft and the stolen vehicle, as well as additional charges of child endangerment for Cromer for bringing his 11-year-old son along with him while he committed the alleged crimes.
