Police Department News Releases
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.
Harmful Matter Sent to a Minor Arrest
Case # 23-000153
In the middle part of October 2018, Chico Police School Resource Officers began the investigation into a male subject sending inappropriate and harmful matter via Snapchat to middle school-aged females. The students who ranged from ages 12 to 17 were solicited and sent sexually explicit text messages and photos to their online social media accounts.
Fugitive Arrested
Case # 23-000697
On February 3rd, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., The Chico Police Department responded outside the Torres Shelter in Chico regarding a fight between two residents of the Shelter. One of the two people involved was identified as 72-year-old William Clayton. Officers learned that Clayton was wanted by Utah State Parole for absconding from the terms of his Parole. Clayton was on Parole completing a sentence for a Murder that occurred in 1980. The crime involved the beating death of a 91-year-old man during a burglary of the victim’s home.
Arson Investigation
The Chico Police Department is actively investigating a string of Arson incidents that occurred between the early morning hours of 02/02/2023 and 02/03/2023:
-At 4:32 a.m., on February 2nd, The Chico Police Department received a call of a small fire burning in the center median of State Highway 99, just south of the 20th Street overpass. CalFire responded and extinguished the fire. A short time later, another small fire was seen burning near the former Krispy Kreme building on Business Lane in Chico. That fire was also extinguished without damage to the building.
Chico Animal Shelter, By Appointment Only
In order to continue to provide excellent customer service to the community, the Chico Animal Shelter, located at 2579 Fair Street in Chico, will continue to conduct business by appointment only.
Juvenile Robbed of Property, Adult Suspects Arrested
Case # 23-000429
On January 21st, 2023 at 7:23PM, the Chico Police Department received a report of a robbery that occurred in the area of Hooker Oak Ave and Madrone Ave, Chico. A 17-year old was riding his bike when he was pursued by a vehicle and robbed of his bicycle, cell phone, and personal property. Investigating officers identified MERCEDES OWSLEY (26) and BRANDON BAKER (26) as the suspects in the robbery. OWSLEY was arrested on 1/21/23 for violations of 496(a), 182(a)(1), and 148(a)(1) PC.
Stabbing Suspects Arrested
Case # 23-000490
On January 24, 2023, around 4:20 PM, the Chico Police Dispatch Center received a call that two victims had been stabbed outside a business on the 1000 block of East Avenue. The suspects fled the scene before police arrived. Fortunately, attentive witnesses alerted our dispatch center to the direction they had fled, and officers located the suspects a few blocks from the stabbing incident.
Report of Firearm on Campus
Case # 23-000484
On January 24, 2023, around 1:50 PM, the Chico Police Dispatch Center received a call regarding a male with a firearm on Chico Senior High School’s campus. Officers immediately responded to the school with all available resources.
As the call evolved, officers developed information that the report of an armed subject might be unfounded. However, due to the nature of the call, officers still deployed and conducted a check of the school and surrounding areas.
Single Vehicle Collision
Case # 23-000467
At about 5:30 p.m. this evening, the Chico Police Department received a call for service related to a single-vehicle collision on E. 5th Ave near the SR99 overpass. Chico Police, Fire, and Butte EMS medics arrived on scene. They located and treated the sole occupant of the vehicle, who had suffered serious injuries. The driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment. His medical status remains critical at the time of this press release.
The cause of the collision has not yet been established, and the investigation is ongoing.
Armed Robbery
Case # 23-000440
On January 22, 2023, at approximately 12:27 PM, the Chico Police Department received a call about an armed robbery that had just occurred at CVS Pharmacy, 801 East Avenue. Officers arrived and determined an unknown white male had stolen an undetermined amount of alcohol from the business. During the theft and prior to exiting the business, the suspect sprayed pepper spray on an employee and a customer. The suspect fled the business and was last seen riding a red bike. The suspect is described as a white male, approximately six feet tall, and was last seen wearing a brown jacket and jeans.
UPDATE: Juvenile Stabbing Suspect Arrested
Case # 23-000269
On January 14th, the Chico Police Department began investigating a report of a stabbing that occurred on Pomona Avenue (see original press release below for initial details). During the investigation, it was determined that (2) victims received serious, but non-life threatening injuries. The Chico Police Department Violence Suppression Unit (VSU) continued the investigation and developed information and obtained evidence regarding the identity of the suspect. On Thursday, January 19th, VSU detectives arrested the 16-year old suspect in the case without incident.
Threats Suspect Arrested
Case # 23-000370
On January 19, 2023, at approximately 9 a.m., The Chico Police Dispatch Center received a call from a person stating they had seen a social media post from a former employee of Enloe Medical Center making threats to harm unidentified employee(s) of Enloe Medical Center in Chico. Officers from the Police Department responded and made contact with employees of the hospital and security staff. The former employee, identified as Kate Stallone, identified a day on which she intended on carrying out her actions in her social media post. That day was today.
Burglary at AT&T
Case # 23-0031
Around 3:30 AM on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, Chico Police Officers responded to the AT&T store located by Chico Marketplace on a report of an alarm. Upon arrival, officers discovered an unknown suspect forced entry into the business. The suspect fled prior to police arrival with property from the business. Officers are following up on potential leads.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact the Chico Police Department at (530)897-4911, reference case number 23-00331.
Location: 1947 -B E. 20th St.
Stabbing
Case # 23-000269
On January 14 at 1:45 A.M., the Chico Police Department received a 911 call of a stabbing in the 500 block of Pomona Avenue in Chico. Several Chico Police Officers arrived on the scene within minutes and determined the incident occurred in the parking lot of a neighboring apartment complex. The victim was transported to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening stab wound to the arm.
Wanted Sex Offender Arrested
Case # 23-000272
On January 14, 2023, the Chico Police Department obtained information that a wanted sex offender from the Sacramento Police Department was hiding in an apartment on the 1700 block of Mangrove Avenue in Chico. The investigation revealed that 36-year-old Arthur Aragon had been absconding from his duty to register as a Sex Offender and was wanted in both Butte and Sacramento Counties.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Case # 23-000247
On January 13, 2023, at 7:20 a.m., the Chico Police Dispatch Center received calls of a fight between two men in the 400 block of Broadway Street, across from the City Plaza in downtown Chico. It was also reported one of the two men had a knife. When the Officers arrived, they located and detained two men, both identified as the two combatants reported.
Resist Arrest
Case # 23-000096
In the early morning hours of January 6, 2023, Chico Police Officers were dispatched to a Domestic Violence Restraining Order violation in the 900 block of E. 16th Street in south Chico. The suspect left just prior to the Officers’ arrival but was located a short distance away. The suspect, identified as 31 year-old Wesley Harlan, refused to comply with the Officers’ instructions. Harlan had armed himself with a pair of scissors and a large stick and made threats to kill the Officers.
Sex Offender Investigation
Case # 22-007249
On 12-3-22, a Chico Police Officer observed a known sex offender on parole driving and conducted an enforcement stop of parolee’s vehicle. The sex offender parolee was identified as Dillion Clark of Chico. The officer subsequently arrested Clark for refusing to unlock a cell phone in Clark’s possession. Clark was taken to the Butte County Jail for a violation of his parole terms.
Occupied Residential Burglary
Case # 23-000057
On Wednesday, 01/04/2023 at approximately 03:17 AM, Chico Police Dispatch received a 911 call regarding an in-progress prowler in the 900 block of Nord Avenue. The reporting party advised an unknown subject was attempting to enter their residence through a window. The reporting party provided Chico Police Dispatch with a description of the involved suspect, who was last seen fleeing in an unknown direction. Chico Police Officers arrived on scene within minutes of the original 911 call. The first Officer on scene encountered a subject matching the provided description.