Tip Jar Bandit Arrest

On June 11, 2022, at 10:51 a.m., Officers from the Chico Police Department (CPD) responded to a citizen report of a suspicious person at the Safeway Gas Station at 720 Mangrove Avenue in Chico. Officers arrived and made contact with 33 year-old Clayton Relf who was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Relf was placed under arrest for the crime and transported to the Chico Police Department for booking.

Officers were aware that Relf had been identified as the man responsible for five prior thefts of tip jars from Chico businesses. CPD Officers had already conducted investigations on these thefts and had sent requests for charges against Relf to the Butte County District Attorney but Relf, himself, had not been found. Now that Relf was now in custody for an unrelated crime, CPD Officers interviewed him about the prior thefts. Relf admitted to being responsible for the crimes.

The Chico Police Department would like to thank the public for their attentiveness and for concern for the safety of the community. Our responsibility to the welfare and safety of Chico is made much easier when we partner with the public. Calling the Police Department when crime is observed greatly increases our likelihood of holding criminal offenders responsible.

Location: 700 block of Mangrove Avenue, Chico

Victim: Multiple businesses in Chico

Suspect: Clayton Relf; 33 years-old, transient in Chico

Supervisor: Sgt. D. Bailey S11

Commander: Lt. T. Tupper L7