Three people were arrested after a rural homeowner told Madera County sheriff's deputies that he surprised the trio while they sorted through items in his house.
Madera County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Erica Stuart said Tuesday that deputies Ryan Lutz and Luis Padgett were sent to an Avenue 16 residence late Monday on a report of a burglary in progress. They arrived to find the homeowner holding the three suspects at gunpoint.
The homeowner, who was not identified, told deputies that he heard noises and could see the suspects inside the home. He made a citizen's arrest of the three and called the Sheriff's Department. "Considering the victim walked in on a burglary in progress, we're very thankful he's still alive," Madera County Sheriff John Anderson said.
Officers identified the suspects as Beltron Gonzalez, 34; Richard Diaz, 27; and Otilia Morales, 25, all from Madera.
Deputies noted that Gonzalez also was wanted on $90,000 of warrants.