Man identified, charged with truck driver murder in Avenal

AVENAL, Calif. — A man is facing a murder charge after deputies say he stabbed and killed a truck driver in Avenal on Saturday.

Deputies say 21-year-old Isaiah Harley of San Fransisco stabbed Jose Madeira, 51, multiple times. He was found dead at an EZ Trip Travel Center parking lot.

[ORIGINAL STORY] Man connected to string of crimes arrested after deadly stabbing in Avenal, officials say

Harley remained on scene and was taken into custody. During the investigation, multiple agencies uncovered a string of crimes that involved Harley in various counties that began on Friday.

Detectives began to piece the incidents together and found Harley had been involved in a carjacking in Oakland, a strong-armed store robbery in Lost Hills, and then a second carjacking in Bakersfield in which officials say he injured the owner of that vehicle.

Investigators believe the man started walking along the I-5 south of Fresno County near Lassen after crashing the second stolen vehicle.

[RELATED] Driver arrested after intentionally hitting pedestrian with vehicle in Reedley, police say

Madeira, the truck driver then picked him up and officials say the deadly stabbing is considered a random attack.

Harley has a set bail of $1 million and more charges may be added after law enforcement in the other counties continue their investigation.

Anyone with more information about the various crimes is asked to call the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-8215.