A Chowchilla man was reportedly roughed up by residents on Hill Drive, after they allegedly caught him rummaging around for valuables in their yards, garages and cars.
The man, whose name will not be given as he was not arrested, said he had just been released from jail on March 12, and was out savaging metal and other recyclables about 11:30 Saturday night when residents chased him out of a yard, jumped on him and then detained him until deputies arrived.
He sustained minor scrapes, cuts and bruises in the incident. Distraught, he slid to the ground in front of angry residents, according to officers. He later declined medical treatment.
The man said he had no other way to support himself and was trying to help his family...