Armed Man Arrested in Chico

On January 5th, 2022, at 0821 hours, The Chico Police Dispatch Center received a call of a vehicle theft that had just occurred in south Chico. A responding officer found the vehicle driving recklessly southbound on Forest Avenue near Humboldt Road. The vehicle fled into the parking lot of an apartment complex on Amanda Way and the driver fled on foot. Responding officers were able to determine the suspect fled into an apartment. Subsequent investigation led officers to the name of the suspect and information the suspect was still inside the apartment. The suspect was determined to be 33 year-old Ollie Bennett. Bennett had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for Robbery.

The Chico Police Department’s Crisis Negotiations Team arrived and began communication with Bennett via a PA system. Also on scene was a Butte County Sheriff’s Department K9 unit, CPD School Resource Officers, CPD Detectives and the CPD SWAT Team. After considerable negotiations, Bennett came out of the apartment and surrendered peacefully.

It was determined that, after stealing the vehicle, Bennett got into an altercation with an uninvolved citizen at the 711 store on Forest Avenue. Bennett brandished a firearm at this victim and his child. It was after this incident that the CPD officer saw Bennett driving recklessly on Forest Avenue.

Both Little Chico Creek Elementary School and Marsh Jr. High School were placed on Code Yellow lockdown during this incident due to their proximity to the incident. A School Resource Officer was on-scene at the school property during this entire incident. There were no injuries during either of the described incidents. Bennett will be booked in the Butte County Jail and charges will be requested for Vehicle Theft, Brandishing a Firearm, Child Endangerment, Resisting Arrest, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Additional charges are pending the completion of the investigation

Location: South Chico

Victim: Several: names withheld

Suspect: 33 year-old Ollie Bennett from Oroville

Supervisor: Sergeant M. Bass S6

Commander: Lieutenant T. Tupper L7

The Chico Police Department is committed to ensuring our community is a safe place to live, work, and recreate within!