Two out on catalytic converter theft mission arrested early Tuesday morning

On Tuesday, April 18th, 2023, at 3:46 am, the Turlock Police Department was dispatched to a reported suspicious incident at Mid Valley Pawn, 270 W Main St, Turlock, after a neighbor had seen two men arrive in a small white SUV who she believed were about to burglarize the business.

When officers arrived on scene, they found and contacted a man later identified as David Madden, 53, of Modesto, with a saw underneath a white 2017 Toyota Tacoma attempting to cut off its catalytic converter. He was detained in handcuffs.

A sergeant checking the area then came across a white 1999 Land Rover Discovery at the intersection of Locust St and Columbia St. Inside of it, a man later identified as William Hammond, 50, of Modesto, was contacted and determined to be Madden’s lookout. He too was detained in handcuffs.

Officers began investigating and determined that Madden had no business being underneath the white Tacoma. It belonged to a man who lived in the north end of town, however, had pawned it at Mid Valley Pawn for a loan.

Both Madden and Hammond were arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of conspiracy and attempted grand theft. Madden was also charged with tampering with a vehicle or its contents and possession of burglary tools. Additionally, their white Discovery was impounded.