John P. Anderson, Sheriff-Coroner
Contact: Erica H. Stuart, P.I.O.
Fax: (559) 559-675-8413
Cell: (559) 559-232-8756
E-Mail: estuart@madera-county.com

DATE: Thursday March 8, 2012
DEPUTY PUTS THE KIBOSH ON ELABORATE HEIST SPANNING THREE COUNTIES

A botched burglary lands two Fresno men behind bars in Madera. Both men are accused of planning an elaborate heist to be carried out at three tire shops in three separate counties.

But their plot went bust when they tried to retrieve 4-thousand dollars worth of tires at a shop located on Avenue 18-1/2 yesterday.

Jailed: 44-year old William Moreno and 39-year old Eric Schubert.

The manager of the tire shop suspected foul play when one of the suspects, claiming to be a foreman of a company that does business with Schoettler Tire, phoned in an order for 4 Super Single Diesel tires, valued at $4,324.02.

When Deputies arrived, the pair was still on scene. Neither suspect had any identification. However, Schubert did have Fresno County inmate release paperwork.

Schubert and Moreno are suspected of executing an elaborate heist – stealing tires by posing as personnel from at least one valley company.

It’s believed the two Fresno men tried to execute the same ruse at 3 separate tire shops located in Madera, Fresno and Merced.

Inside their truck Deputies found a glass pipe commonly used to smoke Methamphetamine, a pair of brass knuckles, and a small canister containing two baggies of crystal Meth.

Anyone who has information about these planned thefts is urged to call either the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at 559-675-7770 or CRIME STOPPERS at 498-STOP. An anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers could be worth up to a thousand dollars.