Police Department News Releases
Shooting
21-005469
On September 12, 2021, at about 2:30 a.m., Chico Police Officers responded to a shooting on the 900 block of West. 4th Avenue. One subject with a gunshot wound was located by officers in a parking lot on West 4th Avenue. A second subject with a gunshot wound was located by officers outside Enloe Hospital. Both subjects were uncooperative with investigating officers. Officers interviewed numerous witnesses on scene. The person(s) responsible for the shooting were not located.
Mountain Bike “Chop Shop” Located
Case# 21-005342
On 9/4/21, Chico Police Officers contacted Michael Braun riding a bicycle. Braun was in possession of a Norco Storm mountain bike, worth approximately $5000. Braun was released from the contact. A Chico Police Officer, who is very familiar with mountain bikes, took the initiative to research recent thefts of mountain bikes. He discovered that on 6/8/21 a similar mountain bike was stolen during a residential burglary in unincorporated Butte County. This Officer then authored a search warrant to recover this bicycle from Braun’s residence.
Walk By Shooting Suspects Apprehended
Case# 21-005326
On 9/4/21 at approximately 9:19 PM, Chico Police Dispatch received reports of a male threatening to shoot people. Dispatch learned that the subject was associated with two other males and they had fired several shots into a residence on Wisconsin Street, Chico. As these subjects were leaving the area, they threatened a subject and pointed a firearm at them. Officers arrived on scene and contacted three subjects leaving the area on foot. Two of the subjects failed to follow the direction of Officers and continued to attempt to flee by walking away.
Homicide
Case# 21-005313
****************** UPDATE 09/08/2021 *****************
The decedent in this case has been identified as Guy Steven Vanzant (53) of Chico, CA. This is an ongoing investigation. No further information will be released at this time.
If anyone has information about this incident, please call the Violence Suppression Unit of the Chico Police Department at (530) 897–4911.
Location: Teichert Pond, Chico
Victims: Guy Steven Vanzant (53)
Suspect: Unknown
Subject Arrested with Stolen Handgun
Case# 21-005307
On September 3, 2021, at about 10:19 p.m., a Chico Police Officer
was on routine patrol on Mangrove Avenue at E. 1st Avenue. The
officer conducted a proactive enforcement stop of a passing
motorist for a vehicle code infraction. The officer contacted the
driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, Silas Norman (age
21).
A record’s check showed Silas did not have a valid driver’s
license. During the contact the officer discovered a loaded .40
caliber handgun in plain view in the vehicle. A record’s check of
the firearm showed that it was stolen. Silas was arrested.
Vehicle Code Violations Towed from Comanche Creek Parking Lot
The Chico Police Department noted multiple vehicle code violations in the Comanche Creek parking lot. The violations included the blocking of the roadway in the parking lot. This was highlighted during two recent incidents: One was a recreational vehicle fire where the Fire Department and Police could not gain close access to the burning vehicle and the other was a medical call where an ambulance could not get out of the parking lot due to an illegally parked vehicle blocking the roadway.
Armed Subject Assaults Police Officer
Case# 21-005225
On August 31, 2021, at about 12:00 a.m., a Chico Police Officer was on routine patrol on Ivy Street at W. 1st Street. The officer conducted a proactive enforcement stop of a passing motorist for a vehicle code infraction.
The vehicle stopped and had 5 occupants in it. The driver, Ivory Peteet (age 20) did not have a valid driver’s license. There were open containers of alcohol in the vehicle. Additional officers arrived on scene to assist. Officers began to have the occupants step out of the vehicle to continue their investigation.
Brandishing Suspects Found with Cocaine for Sale
Case# 21-005218
On August 30th, 2021, at approximately 3:47 PM, Chico Police Officers were dispatched to a report of a firearm brandish near W 8th Street and Main Street in Chico. The victim told CPD dispatch a male had pointed a pistol at him and fled in a vehicle. The vehicle was described as a BMW sedan. CPD officers were able to locate the vehicle driving eastbound on highway 32 as it approached Forest Avenue. Officers conducted a felony stop on the vehicle and detained occupants Nathaniel Birdsong (26 yrs) and Destinee Cortijo (27 yrs). A 9mm pistol was found inside the vehicle.
Stolen Vehicle Arrest
Case # 21-005128
Chico, CA – On 8/26/2021 at about 12:00 pm, the Chico Police Department received a call in regards to a vehicle that was recently stolen from the 700 block of E. Lassen Avenue. The victim indicated as she exited a convenience store, she saw a male subject get into her vehicle and drive away. An area check was conducted and the vehicle was located unoccupied in the 300 block of E. Lassen Avenue.
Stolen Bike Returned to Owner
Case # 21-80448
On 08/26/21 at approximately 10:23am, members of the Chico Police Target Team were on patrol in the Lindo Channel near the intersection with Cohasset Ln. Officers saw a newer Specialized Mountain Bike near one of the encampments. All occupants of the camp claimed not to know who the bicycle belonged to. Officers checked the serial numbers on the bike and discovered it had been reported stolen in February of 2021. The bike’s lock had been cut at the intersection of W. 5th St and Ivy St when it was reported stolen. The victim had recorded his serial number and completed an online report.
Armed Robbery at 7-11 on Walnut Street
Case # 21-005106
On 08/25/2021 at approximately 0230 hours an armed robbery occurred at the 7-11 store located at 308 Walnut St. An employee working near the back of the store saw a male enter the store with a long gun. The employee along with a second employee did not hesitate to rush into the nearby bathroom where they were able to lock themselves inside and call 911.
Sex Offender Arrested In Comanche Creek
Case # 21-005074
On 08/24/2021 at approximately 11:34am, the Chico Police Target Team was on patrol in the area of Comanche Creek. Officers encountered a subject named Gilbert Metz (age 62), in one of the encampments. Metz is required to register as a sex offender and was out of compliance with his registration. Metz was arrested without incident for a felony violation of failing to register as a sex offender per 290.013(a) of the California Penal Code.
Location: Comanche Creek
Date/Time: 08/24/2021 at 11:34am
Supervisor: Sgt. Paul Ratto
Lieutenant: Brian Miller
Theft of Utilities in Comanche Creek
Case# 21-005002
On 08/23/21 at approximately 1:02 pm a Chico Park Ranger was on routine patrol in the Comanche Creek Greenway. The Park Ranger noticed that the City of Chico’s irrigation line, used to water vegetation, had been tapped into by a nearby camp. The water was diverted into a holding reservoir and being used for personal use in an encampment. The occupant of the camp was interviewed and cited for theft of utilities per 498(b)(1) PC.
Death in a Public Right of Way
Case# 21-005015
On 8/20/21, at 3:29 p.m., Chico Fire, Butte Medics and Chico Police were dispatched to an unconscious man in a restroom near the Transit Center in downtown Chico. Upon arrival, they found the man was not breathing and began CPR. After approximately 20 minutes of lifesaving efforts, the man was pronounced deceased. The death of this man does not appear to be suspicious in nature.
The identity of the victim is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.
Shooting
Case# 21-005004
On 8/19/21, at approximately 7:20 PM, Chico Police Dispatch received multiple 911 calls regarding gunshots seen and heard in the area of E. 20th Street/Fair Street, Chico, CA. Several Chico Police officers responded to the area and searched for any victims, suspects, witnesses, and evidence of the crime. During the investigation, Officers located evidence that a firearm was discharged in the area. However, a victim nor a suspect were found. While the scene was being processed, a section of E. 20th Street was closed for eastbound traffic for approximately 1.5 hours.
DUI Collision With Major Injury
Case# 21-004966
On Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at about 2:47pm, Chico Police responded to a vehicle collision near the intersection of Cohasset Road and Azalea Avenue involving a Mazda 3 and a Dodge Charger. Witnesses reported that the black Dodge Charger was driving n/b Cohasset Rd at a high rate of speed just prior to the collision. The driver of the Mazda was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for major injuries. Her 17-yr old son was also in the vehicle. That juvenile was treated on scene and released to a family member with minor injuries.
Drowning in Park
Case# 21-004946
On 8/16/21 at about 6:00 pm, Chico Police Officers responded to the Bidwell Park One-Mile Recreation area on a report of possible drowning in the creek. In an area behind the CARD (Chico Area Recreation and Park District) offices, Officers found park goers pulling a woman from the water. Chico Fire Department personnel and Butte EMS engaged in lifesaving efforts for some time, unfortunately they were unable to save the woman. Officers have initiated a death investigation and the victim’s identity is being withheld pending next of kin notifications.
Stabbing- Attempt Murder
Case# 21-004935
On August 16 at 7:14 a.m., the Chico Police Dispatch Center received a 911 call of a stabbing which had occurred in the 900 block of Nord Avenue. Multiple Chico Police Officers arrived on the scene and an extensive area check was conducted. The victim was located and transported to an area hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The suspect was not located at the time of the incident.
Arson
Case# 21-004847
On 08/11/2021, at about 1435 hours, Chico Police and Chico Fire dispatch received multiple calls concerning a subject intentionally starting fires in the 1800 Block of Springfield Drive. The Chico Fire Department quickly responded and extinguished a fire which was contained to a grass field and no damage to any of the surrounding businesses occurred. The suspect also started a second fire in an exterior trash can at a nearby business, which was also quickly extinguished.
Commercial Burglary Suspect Arrested
Case# 21-004831
At approximately 2211 hours Chico Police Dispatch received a call from the manager of a local pest control business on Mangrove Ave. The manager told dispatch through onsite security video he could see an unknown male subject actively inside the gated area of the business, entering storage rooms and removing property.