MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KMPH) -
A Madera Ranchos home was burglarized, and now authorities are hoping the public can help them identify and locate two people wanted in connection with this case.
On September 17, Madera County Sheriff's deputies went to a home on Bella Vista Drive, near Road 39 1/2 and Avenue 12, after receiving a call about a burglary.
The homeowners were on vacation when thieves broke into their home and took off with several thousand dollars worth of property and numerous debit and credit cards.
A relative discovered the break-in while checking the home.
Detectives say they were able to make some progress in the investigation Wednesday when fraudulent charges started appearing on the victim's debit and credit cards. The shopping spree is believed to have started on or around September 19. The cards were used at a number of stores where thousands of dollars in purchases were racked up.
Two of those stores were able to capture the suspected thieves -- a man and a woman -- on surveillance video. Both were wearing the same clothes during what appears to be at least a four-day spending spree.
Investigators say the two were captured making purchases using the stolen debit and credit cards, signing the victim's name and leaving the stores.
Surveillance video also captured the couple leaving the area in a gray or silver-colored Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Besides debit and credit cards taken from the vacationing couple's home, investigators say thieves stole cash and thousands of dollars worth of property -- including a 60" plasma flat screen TV, two safes and women's jewelry.
Anyone who can identify these two people is urged to call either the Madera County Sheriff's Office at (559) 675-7770 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP. An anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers that results in the arrests of the suspected thieves could be worth up to $1,000.
Stay with KMPH News and KMPH.com as we continue to follow this story.
