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Police Department News Releases

Police Department Press Releases

Overview

The Press Information Office is a central location for the media and community to obtain information and press releases regarding the newsworthy events in which the Chico Police Department has played a role.

Media outlets and public agencies wishing to receive department press releases submit an email address here.

 

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St. Patrick’s Day 2023

St. Patrick’s Day in Chico has a long-standing history of being an opportunity for locals and college students alike to enjoy the holiday. Unfortunately, sometimes the St. Patrick’s Day celebration can lead to excessive alcohol consumption.

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Fatal Motorcycle Collision

Case # 23-001606

On 03/17/2023 at 6:20 PM, Chico Police Officers were dispatched to a report of a solo vehicle accident involving a motorcycle in the 1000 block of E. 20th Street in Chico. Officers quickly arrived on scene, along with medical and fire personnel. Life-saving measures were immediately performed on the rider of the motorcycle at the scene. The rider suffered major injuries as a result of the collision and was transported to a local hospital. The rider of the motorcycle ultimately succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

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Foot Pursuit Leads to Arrest

Case # 23-001567

On March 16, 2023, at approximately 7:56 AM, the Chico Police Department responded to a report of a subject carrying a rifle in the area of the Highway 99 bike path between Panama Avenue and E. Lassen Avenue. The area surrounding this incident is heavily residential, bordered on the west by Highway 99. 

While Officers were en route, a concerned citizen reported an additional subject was present. Both individuals were associated with a parked vehicle blocking the bike path. One of the subjects was observed firing the rifle toward a nearby fence. 

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Homicide Investigation

Case # 23-001500

On 03/12/2023 at about 4:15 PM, Butte EMS, Cal Fire, and CPD units responded to Food Maxx in Chico for a reported suspicious circumstance.  A caller reported locating a subject inside a shopping cart near the front of the store.  The subject was reportedly wrapped in a large sheet of white plastic.  The caller believed the subject was deceased.

Upon arrival, EMS confirmed the adult male was, in fact, deceased. 

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Shooting

Case # 23-001496

On March 11th, 2023, at about 11:15 pm, Chico Police Officers were dispatched to the 900 block of East Avenue for a reported shooting. Officers arrived on scene and located a victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. A second victim from the incident arrived by private vehicle at a local hospital also with an apparent gunshot wound. The second victim’s injuries also did not appear life threatening.       

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Felony Warrant Arrest

Case # 23-001409

On March 7, 2023, at approximately 6:00 pm, Chico Police Officers located Branden Thurston (26) walking near Humboldt Avenue and Little Chico Creek. Thurston was wanted by Chico Police due to an active felony warrant for his arrest. As Officers attempted to contact Thurston, he immediately fled on foot.  During the foot pursuit, Thurston fled into Little Chico Creek and concealed himself within heavily thorned bushes.  This created an extreme Officer safety issue and prevented the use of a Police K-9.    

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Shooting Investigation

Case # 23-001460

On Friday, March 10, Chico Police Officers responded to the 1100 block of Columbus Avenue for a report of a shooting a little after 5:40 a.m.

Upon arrival, Officers found one person with a gunshot wound. Officers swiftly moved them to an area of safety while medics attended to their wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital with a minor injury and is stable.

The road at W. Sacramento Avenue and Columbus Avenue was shut down for approximately 2.5 hours while Officers investigated.

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AB 481 Community Engagement Meeting

Date: Thursday, April 27, 2023

Time: 6:00pm

Location: City of Chico Council Chambers – 421 Main St, Chico, CA 95928

What: In accordance with Assembly Bill 481, Chico Police Chief Billy Aldridge will hold a community engagement meeting regarding the agency’s funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.

Media, please arrive five minutes early to set up.

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Assault with a Deadly Weapon

Case # 23-001382

On March 6, 2023, around 4:45 p.m., the Chico Police Dispatch Center received a call regarding a group of juveniles who had been chased by a vehicle near Boucher Street and Humboldt Avenue. It was reported that individuals occupying the vehicle brandished a firearm at the juveniles. 

Officers checked the area and located three subjects matching the reported descriptions. Officers attempted to make contact, and a foot pursuit ensued. Officers detained one subject, 21-year-old Christian Stowe, shortly after the pursuit began, who was armed with a pistol.  

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Chico Police Arrest Suspected Drug Dealer

Case # 23-001310

On March 2, 2023, at approximately 5:20 p.m., a Chico Police Officer came in contact with 31-year-old Ian Broughton in the 2100 block of Pillsbury Rd. Broughton, who is on searchable probation and who also had several felony warrants for his arrest, was detained by officers. A search of Broughton and the vehicle Broughton was driving yielded a large quantity of Fentanyl and tar Heroin.

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Fatal Auto vs. Pedestrian Update

Case # 23-001177

Chico Police Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) have been investigating the fatal collision from last Friday evening (Feb 24th). The pedestrian who was killed has been identified as Ezequiel Zepeda, a 73-year-old male from Chico, CA. The investigation determined that Zepeda ran out onto Hwy 32 in an attempt to cross the street, likely not noticing the approaching vehicle. The driver of the car that struck Zepeda stopped immediately and stayed with him until emergency personnel arrived. The driver of the vehicle was not under the influence and has cooperated with investigators.

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Assault with a Deadly Weapon

Case # 23-001220

Over the last several days, the Chico Police Department has been investigating crimes related to the actions of Mr. Kurtus Locke (38 years of Chico). Neighbors reported Mr. Locke was making verbal threats and shooting firearms outside of his residence on Berkeley Ln, Chico.

On February 25th, Officers received information that Mr. Locke had assaulted an elderly male making Locke arrestable for felony elder abuse.

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Death in Public Right of Way

Case # 23-001167

On February 24, 2023, at approximately 9:13 AM, Butte EMS was dispatched to a medical emergency in the 2000 block of Esplanade. Medics located the victim and immediately began life-saving measures. The victim was transported to Enloe Medical Center, where they were pronounced deceased.

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Vehicle vs. Pedestrian Collision

Case # 23-001177

On 02/24/2023 at 6:15 PM, Chico Police Officers were dispatched to a report of a vehicle vs. pedestrian collision that had just occurred on State Route 32 at the intersection of E. 8th Street in Chico. Officers quickly arrived on scene, along with medical and fire personnel. Life-saving measures were immediately performed on the pedestrian at the scene. Based on witnesses at the scene and a statement by the involved driver, it was determined that the pedestrian was struck by a vehicle near the above intersection.

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Assault on an Officer Arrest

On Tuesday, February 21, around 11:30 p.m. the Chico Police Dispatch Center received a call regarding a trespasser at the Pallet Shelter who was identified as 28-year-old Steven Hodges.

 

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Hit and Run Investigation Leads to Arrest of Wanted Thief

Case # 23-0001050

On February 19, 2023, at approximately 5 a.m., The Chico Police Dispatch Center received a call of a single-vehicle collision on W. Sacramento Avenue at Nord Avenue. The caller stated the vehicle struck a fire Hydrant, shearing it completely off and causing flooding from the sheared pipe. The driver, and sole occupant, fled from the vehicle on foot, south on Nord Avenue. An arriving officer observed a man walking on the sidewalk of Nord Avenue, matching the suspect description. The man was detained after it was determined he was giving the officer a false name.

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Death in a Public Right of Way

Case # 23-001024

On February 18, 2023, at approximately 1:45 PM, Chico Fire Engine 1 was flagged down in the area of E. 4th St. and Orient St. by a male reporting party stating his girlfriend was not breathing. Fire personnel located the victim in a nearby alley where she and the reporting party had slept for the night. Fire personnel checked on the victim and found that she was deceased.

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Domestic Dispute

Case # 23-000963

On Wednesday, February 15, around 8:15 a.m., the Chico Police Dispatch center received a call regarding a domestic dispute between a male and female in the 800 block of W. 2nd Avenue.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the female outside the apartment complex and learned the male, 32-year-old Donald Griffin, and a child were inside the apartment.

All available resources were deployed, including the Chico Police Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), as officers attempted to safely get Griffin and the child out of the apartment.

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Distribution of Antisemitic Flyers

Case # 23-000930

The Chico Police Department is investigating the distribution of antisemitic flyers to various homes in the Avenues neighborhoods.

On Monday, February 13, Chico Police Officers responded to Arcadian Avenue after receiving a report that several antisemitic flyers were distributed to multiple homes in the area.

Officers located and collected several flyers but do not have a person of interest at this time.

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Molestation Arrest

Case # 23-000173

On 1/9/22, Chico Police Officers responded to a report of a molestation. The victim was a juvenile at the time of the molestation and stated that this occurred for over 5 years. After an extensive investigation, Chico Police Detectives obtained a warrant for the arrest of Carlos Hernandez LICONA (43 years old) for the violations of two counts of 288.7(b) PC-Oral Copulation or Sexual Penetration with a Victim under 10 years old, and one count of 288.5 PC-Continuous Sexual Contact with a Victim under 14 years old.

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