Burglar Turns Hobby into a Job

On 8/29/22, Officers responded to A Main Hobbies (2065 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Chico) regarding a report of an alarm. When Officers arrived, they observed that the glass had been removed from the front door. Officers reviewed surveillance video and observed two subjects removing items from the store and fleeing a short time later.

Later in the morning of 8/29/22, Officers were dispatched to Fastrack Gas Station (1800 Nord Ave, Chico) regarding a report of another broken window. Officers arrived on scene and observed the business had been damaged. Upon review of surveillance video, Officers observed a subject break the window and steal numerous items from within the store.

Chico Police Detectives began investigating these incidents. Detectives believed that they were related due to the short period of time between each incident and the numerous similarities. Detectives obtained evidence that indicated Timothy James Mooney (32 yrs old) was one of the two subjects involved in both of these incidents. Detectives obtained enough information to obtain a search warrant of Mooney’s residence in Red Bluff, Ca. On 9/29/22, Detectives responded to Mooney’s residence and, along with the assistance of Red Bluff Police Department Detectives and Patrol Officers, arrested Mooney. Detectives conducted a search of Mooney’s vehicle and residence and obtained further evidence that Mooney had been involved in the burglaries of both Chico businesses.

Mooney was transported to Chico Police Department for booking and later transported to Butte County Jail. He was arrested for two violations of 459 of the California Penal Code (Commercial Burglary).

This was a team effort with Red Bluff Police Department and we were grateful for their assistance in this investigation. It is impossible to investigate and arrest multi-county offenders without the cooperation of numerous agencies. If you have any information about these two incidents, please contact Chico Police Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) at (530)897-5820.

Location: 2065 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Chico, and 1800 Nord Ave, Chico

Date/Time: 9/29/22

Incident Case Number: 22-005375 and 22-005377

Victims: Names Withheld

Suspect: Timothy James Mooney (32 yrs old)

Supervisor: Sgt. Nick Bauer

Watch Commander: Lt. Miller