Police Department News Releases
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.
Attempted Bank Robbery
Case# 22-006703
On Thursday, October 27th, 2022, at 12:47 pm, the Chico Police Department received a call of an attempted bank robbery at the Tri Counties Bank on Pillsbury Rd. The suspect entered the bank and told the clerk to put money in a bag. The suspect acted as if he had a firearm, but no firearm was seen. The suspect fled before receiving any money from the bank. CPD patrol units were unable to locate the suspect in the area upon being notified of the crime.
Fentanyl Bust at Windchime Park
The Chico Police TARGET Team was busy today at Windchime Park, readying campers for tomorrow’s camping enforcement. Subjects camping at Windchime Park had been offered sheltering options at the Pallet Shelter, Torres Shelter, and alternate Campsite at Eaton Rd and Cohasset Rd.
Death in a Public Right of Way
Case# 22-006668
On 10/25/2022 at approximately 1930 hours Chico Police officers were summoned to a business in the 700 block of Mangrove Ave. for a suspicious circumstance. When officers arrived they learned a male customer had come into the store at approximately1600 hours and purchased food and a drink. The male remained in the store for approximately one hour before entering the bathroom at approximately 1700 hours. Employees noticed the male had not come out and made attempts to contact the male. There was no response.
Negligent Discharge of a Firearm
Case# 22-006614
On October 23, 2022, at approximately 3:21 pm, Chico Police Officers responded to the 300 block of Newport Drive on a report of shots fired from inside a residence. It was reported that a male subject, later identified as Lonnie Davis (56-year-old Chico resident) fired a single round from a handgun after an altercation with a family member. Officers immediately responded to the address and established a perimeter around the home. Officers were able to make contact with the reporting party and have her exit the home without incident.
Major Injury Collision
Case# 22-006601
On 10/22/2022 at 11:41 PM, Chico Police Officers were dispatched to a vehicle vs. pedestrian collision that occurred near the intersection of Ivy Street and W 3rd Street. Officers arrived on scene along with medical personnel.
Death Investigation
Case# 22-006575
On October 21, 2022 at 3:49 p.m., The Chico Police Dispatch Center received a 911 call from a person reporting an explosion and an injury to a construction worker in a construction project off Boeing Avenue in North Chico. Chico Police, Chico Fire and Butte Medics responded immediately and found a man unresponsive near a concrete pumping truck. Lifesaving efforts were immediately activated but the man was declared deceased at the scene.
Stolen Firearm Located During DUI Investigation
Case# 22-002014
On 10/18/22 at approximately 0103 hrs. a Chico Police Officer on routine patrol observed a vehicle violate several provisions of the California Vehicle Code near E. 20th St. and Highway 99. The officer conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle. During the stop, the officer established that the driver of the vehicle, 22-year-old Atlantic Aguilar, was driving under the influence of alcohol. Aguilar was arrested for DUI.
Teichert Ponds Shooting
Case# 22-006474
On 10/16/22 at approximately 10:05 PM, Chico Police Dispatch received a report of a shooting at Teichert Ponds in Chico CA. The victim spoke with Dispatch and stated that he had been shot by unknown individuals while he was located in his tent. Officers responded to the area and began a search for the victim and suspects. Three subjects were located leaving the area. The subjects were detained, and Officers ultimately located two firearms near the subjects. The victim was also located, and he was transported to Enloe Hospital with gunshot wounds to his arm and leg.
Negligent Discharge of a Firearm
Case# 22-006393
On Wednesday, October 12th at about 10:10 p.m. the Chico Police Dispatch Center received a call for service related to a possible shooting that had just occurred in the area of E. 20th St and Roth St.
Officers arrived in the area and learned that teenage juveniles had thrown items at a house in the neighborhood. The resident, later identified as Mr. Gary Powell (68 years) exited his house with a firearm. Mr. Powell discharged the firearm as the juveniles ran away.
Brandishing/Criminal Threats Incident
Case# 22-006381
On Wednesday, October 12th at about 4:45 p.m. Chico Police Dispatch Center began receiving calls regarding a male chasing and threatening pedestrians and vehicles while armed with a knife. Numerous officers arrived in the area and located the male, identified as Mr. Maurice Hill (53 years) on Citrus Ave immediately adjacent to Citrus Elementary School. The school was placed on lockdown while officers contacted Mr. Hill who was still armed with the knife.
Fatal Vehicle vs. Pedestrian Collision
Case# 22-6202
On October 5th , 2022 at about 0752 hours, Chico Police Dispatch received several 911 calls regarding a vehicle versus pedestrian collision on Bruce Road at California Park Dr. Emergency personnel arrived on scene and found a pedestrian on the ground not breathing. Lifesaving efforts were performed but the pedestrian succumbed to her injuries. Several witnesses were contacted at scene and provided detailed statements. The female jogger had been on a run when she attempted to cross Bruce Rd. against a red signal. The vehicle was traveling northbound Bruce Rd.
Armed Barricaded Subject Arrested
Case# 22-006128
On 10-2-2022 at approximately 1019 hours, Chico Police Dispatch received information from a reporting party that a female subject and her 6-year-old son were being held against their will by a male subject. The reporting person advised that the male subject was in possession of a firearm. Multiple CPD Officers responded to the scene and established a perimeter around the residence. Announcements were made and the female victim and her son were able to escape the residence to the safety of awaiting officers at the scene.