Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating a man suspected of stealing a utility terrain vehicle, trespassing and grand theft in eastern Madera County.

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol’s Oakhurst Area office said the investigation began Sunday when a UTV was reported stolen from the Road 416 area.

The vehicle was later spotted traveling north on Highway 41, prompting a brief pursuit by CHP. Investigators said the suspect abandoned the UTV near Highway 41 and Celechovsky Court before fleeing on foot into nearby brush toward Road 425.

A short time later, the suspect was captured on a Ring camera on Serpa Canyon allegedly tampering with a residential water pump. When CHP officers arrived, the suspect fled into the brush again. CHP Air Operations searched the area but was unable to locate him because of dense vegetation and rugged terrain.

Just before 3 p.m. Monday, authorities said the suspect was seen at Camp Oakhurst off Mudge Ranch Road. Camp staff escorted him off the property, and he was last seen near Mudge Ranch Road and Thornberry Summit Road.

Investigators believe the suspect has trespassed on private property and committed a grand theft since fleeing from law enforcement.

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The suspect is described as a man between 55 and 65 years old wearing green and black pajama pants, a black hooded sweatshirt and having distinctive facial tattoos.

The California Highway Patrol is seeking the suspect on suspicion of vehicle theft, while the Madera County Sheriff’s Office is seeking him on suspicion of trespassing and grand theft.

Anyone with information about the suspect’s identity or whereabouts is asked to contact the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 675-7770.

Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Valley Crime Stoppers.

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