"It's a confusing case and it took our guys about three days to put it all together and get it arranged," said Madera Co. Sheriff John Anderson.
On Tuesday, Madera County Sheriff John Anderson showed off all sorts of evidence tied to a bizarre drug deal gone bad. We're talking rifles and ammo, marijuana, ski masks and unofficial law enforcement clothing. It was all recovered during a search of an apartment in Madera belonging to 25-year old Elias Martinez, an illegal immigrant out of Oaxaca, Mexico.
"We have him charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. He refuses to speak to us. He knows three words of english, I want an attorney," said Sheriff Anderson.
On the night of December 30th, Martinez and his unknown partner are accused of using a pickup equipped with blue fog lights to impersonate police officers. They allegedly pulled over three young
men riding in a blue car near Avenue 18 1/2 and Road 10 in Chowchilla and ordered them to get out.
"They shoot one of them laying there on the ground with an SKS Rifle. He was shot through the liver. He's in very serious critical condition and we're still not sure whether or not he'll survive," said Sheriff Anderson.
That was a 17-year old boy. Another 17-year old boy took off running to safety. Meanwhile, the 22-year old driver jumped into the car and sped away as the suspects continued to fire at him.
"They went through the back window and also went through here and hit the driver. They hit him in the face, his jaw and most of his teeth," said Sheriff Anderson.
But the story doesn't end there, detectives did a more thorough search the following day and followed a trail of blood underneath a bridge. There in a dog food bag they found many plastic containers holding 9 lbs. of meth worth $45,000.
"The way this is wrapped, we know it came from Mexico, which involves Mexican Drug Cartels," said Sheriff Anderson.
If you have any information on this case which can help investigators, report it to Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP. You may be eligible for a cash reward.