PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Date: December 16, 2020
Prepared By/Contact Person: Commander Sean Young
In recent weeks, the City of Coalinga saw a sharp increase in auto thefts in various areas of the City. On December 15, 2020, shortly before 1:50 PM, a Coalinga Police Officer was patrolling in the Fairview Mobile Home Park when he observed 18-year-old Coalinga transient Roy Murberger, who was seated in the driver seat of a parked, newer Mercedes Benz CLS.
The Police Department had been actively looking for Murberger regarding three active warrants for his arrest for auto thefts that occurred in the City of Fresno. After seeing the Coalinga Police Officer, Murberger attempted to conceal himself inside a nearby vehicle to avoid arrest.
Bystanders in the area directed police to the vehicle where Murberger was hiding in. Murberger was ordered to exit the vehicle by officers and after exiting, he attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody.
Further investigation revealed that the Mercedes Benz Murberger was found in had been stolen
from the Table Mountain Casino parking lot. Officers were also able to link Murberger to five
additional auto thefts in the City of Coalinga.
Murberger was transported to the Fresno County Jail where he was booked into custody for
active warrants and for fresh charges of resisting arrest, providing false identification to a peace
officer, and 6 counts of auto theft.
All suspects are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law.