Police Department News Releases
Armed Subject Arrested
Case # 22-007858
On December 26, 2022, at approximately 5:00 PM, the Chico Police Department began to receive multiple 911 calls about gun shots being heard in the area of 2060 Amanda Way. One of the reporting parties indicated someone had shot through the front door of her residence into her apartment. Multiple Chico Police Officers arrived on scene within minutes. As Officers arrived on scene another gunshot was heard by the Officers. The residents of the apartment complex were asked to shelter in place for their safety.
Suspicious Package
Case # 22-007831
On December 24, 2022, at 3:53 p.m., an alert citizen noticed a suspicious-looking package near the sidewalk at the 1100 block of Magnolia Avenue in Chico. The citizen called the Chico Police Department. Officers responded and examined the package. Due to its suspicious nature, the Butte County Bomb Squad was notified and responded.
The 1100 block of Magnolia Avenue was closed for approximately one and ½ hours while the package was examined by members of the Butte County Bomb Squad. The package was determined to be harmless.
Chico Police Officer Recovers Stolen Holiday Decorations
Case # 22-007757
On Tuesday, December 20, just after 11:20 p.m., the Chico Police Dispatch Center received a call regarding a suspect stealing Christmas decorations from a local hotel.
While doing an area check, a Chico Police Officer spotted the described suspect, 38-year-old Wayland Rudd. While speaking with Rudd, the officer found he was in possession of multiple inflatable Christmas decorations, some of which had been reported stolen to the Chico Police Department earlier in the day.
Alleged Sexual Abuser Arrested
Case # 22-005277
In September of 2021, Chico Police Officers began investigating allegations of sexual abuse at a local daycare facility in South Chico. Chico Police Detectives completed extensive follow-up in the case and identified the suspect as Chico resident Salvador Calvillo Juarez. Detectives obtained evidence of Calvillo Juarez committing sexual acts against children at his residence, which hosted a small informal daycare facility. On 12-20-2022, Chico Police Detectives arrested Calvillo Juarez at his home without incident. Calvillo Juarez was later booked into the Butte County Jail.
Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention
Nationwide and locally, catalytic converter thefts are rising. The lack of identifiable markings on catalytic converters makes it difficult to establish victims and successfully arrest/charge criminals.
Shots Fired at a Residence
Case # 22-7617
On December 13, at about 7:16 AM, a resident in the 800 block of W Lindo Ave contacted the Chico Police Department after finding their vehicles were shot at overnight. During the ensuing investigation, officers confirmed two vehicles and the residence were shot. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
At this time, the investigation is ongoing. We are asking anyone with information and/or video surveillance to contact the Chico Police Department at (530)897-4911.
Location: 800 block W Lindo Ave
Victim: Withheld
Case # 22-7617
Short Pursuit Leads to an Arrest
Case # 22-007394
A short pursuit early Wednesday leads to the arrest of 35-year-old Ryan Rash.
On November 30, around 12:25 a.m., a Chico Police Officer was driving southbound on SR 99 when he noticed a vehicle displaying suspicious driving habits.
The officer followed the vehicle, driven by Rash, as it exited at E. 20th Street, towing a flatbed trailer with one inoperable brake light.
Man Shot on E. 16th Street, Chico
Case # 22-007343
***** UPDATE 11/29/2022 *****
The decedent has been identified as Trey Roy Earl Howell-Shepard (26 yrs). No further information will be released at this time.
*****
On 11/27/22 at approximately 5:25 PM, Chico Police Dispatch received a report of a subject that was shot on the 800 Block of E. 16th Street. Chico Police Officers arrived on scene and determined that a male had suffered a gunshot wound and was deceased upon Officers’ arrival. Officers are currently investigating the incident, and no further information can be released at this time.
Armed Subject Arrested at One Mile Recreation
Case # 22-007315
On Saturday, November 26, at approximately 2:40 pm, Chico Police Dispatch received multiple 911 calls regarding an armed subject threatening innocent bystanders near Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation area. It was reported that 39- year-old Chico resident Ralph DiCostanzo was armed with a knife and threatening innocent bystanders. With the information at hand, officers immediately responded and located DiCostanzo walking near Sycamore Pool. DiCostanzo was holding a knife with an exposed blade acting erratic, unpredictable, and violent.
Driver Arrested; 4th time in three months for DUI
Case # 22-007273
On 11/23/2022, around 8 p.m., the Chico Police Department was notified by employees of Sierra Nevada Restaurant that an intoxicated patron was inside being disruptive. The patron then left the restaurant driving a vehicle registered to Gail Hemmingsen.
Chico Police Apprehend Armed Violent Felon, Again
Case # 22-006950
Soon after a shooting incident that occurred on November 7, Chico Police Detectives began investigating the violent assault. Detectives soon learned that the suspect had entered a business in the area and was recorded on surveillance video. After reviewing the surveillance, several members of the Chico Police Department recognized the suspect to be Patrick Lee Dowell-Rollins (31 yrs). Dowell-Rollins was well known to many Department members due to an apprehension on 1/28/21, in which he fled from Officers while in possession of a 9mm Uzi rifle and a 9mm handgun.
Stabbing Suspect Arrested
Case # 22-007141
Chico Police arrested 36-year-old Tyrome Sanders Thursday morning for assault with a deadly weapon after an hours long standoff in Chico.
On November 17, 2022, just before 3 am, Chico Police Dispatch received a call regarding a fire behind Cost Plus World Market on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy. When first responders arrived, a victim told them he had been stabbed with a broken bottle. The suspect had already fled the scene.
Shooting in east Chico
Case # 22-006950
On 11/07/2022 at approximately 8:34 pm, the Chico Police Department received a 911 call regarding a shooting that just occurred in the 1300 block of Longfellow Ave. Officers responded and arrived on scene where they located a male victim, with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his arm. The suspect had left in a vehicle prior to the officers’ arrival. The victim was transported by ambulance to Enloe Hospital for treatment.
Arrest Made in Recent Hate Crimes
Case # 22-006874
On 11/2/22 and 11/3/22, The Chico Police Department received reports of Hate Crime-related vandalism and arson at the Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue and at a mural dedicated to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Investigators from the Violence Suppression Unit (VSU), in collaboration with investigators from the Butte County Probation Department, identified THOMAS BONA (36) as a person of interest in the incidents.
Mural Vandalized
Case # 22-006874
The Chico Police Department is investigating another hate crime
involving a mural dedicated to missing and murdered Indigenous
women. The mural is located on the 900 block of W. 2nd
Street.
The artist reported the unidentified suspect(s) drew swastikas
and obscene language on the mural and attempted to light the
bottom on fire.
At this time, it is unknown if this incident is related to the hate crime also being investigated at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue. Both cases have been forwarded to the detective bureau for further investigation.
Occupied Residential Burglary in South Chico
Case # 22-006862
On 11/3/22 at approximately 0319 hrs. CPD Dispatch received a 911 call regarding an in-progress burglary occurring at a residence in the 300 block of St. Augustine Drive. The reporting party advised of an unknown subject inside their residence. Officers immediately responded to the residence and arrived on scene in less than 3 minutes. The first officer on scene encountered the unidentified suspect exiting the property. A brief foot pursuit was initiated, but the suspect was able to evade capture.
Hate Crime at Place of Worship
Case # 22-006857
This afternoon, at about 4:15 p.m., the Chico Police Dispatch Center received a call regarding a vandalism incident at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue, located on the 1300 block of Hemlock St. in Chico. Officers arrived on scene and discovered that an unidentified suspect(s) burned a sign in front of the synagogue and drew swastikas on the sign. Officers collected evidence and began an investigation.
The vandalism is being treated as a hate crime. These incidents are serious acts against members of our community and will be investigated thoroughly.
Chico Police Net Pedophile in Attempt to Catch Predator
Case# 22-005989
On 9/26/22, Chico PD began investigating a child sexual assault involving a 16-year-old female and 74-year-old suspect, Louis Evart. Evart was paying the victim to complete manual labor projects at his mobile home. The victim reported going into Evart’s residence, and Evart displayed child pornography on his computer to the victim. The victim reported this incident to Chico Police Officers and Chico Police Detectives began a follow-up investigation.
Halloween 2022
The Chico Police Department prepared for the 2022 Halloween weekend by once again increasing Police presence, particularly in the south campus and “Avenues” neighborhoods, popular as student housing. Historically, this weekend is filled with large crowds, large parties, and out-of-town partygoers. To ensure uninterrupted service to the rest of the city, off-duty Chico Police Officers were required to work during the Halloween operational period that covered Friday, October 28 at 6 pm through Tuesday, November 1 at 1 am.
Assault
On 10/27/22 at 7:19 PM, the Chico Police Department Public Safety Dispatch Center received calls of a disturbance in a parking lot on Nord Avenue. Prior to CPD officers’ arrival, callers advised that someone may have been shot.
CPD officers arrived on scene and located one subject that was bleeding from the arm and the face. CPD Officers determined he had been shot by an air rifle.