January 25, 2021

BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SEARCHING FOR INMATE WHO ESCAPED FROM THE BUTTE COUNTY JAIL

Oroville, CA – On January 25, 2021 around 1230 AM, Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) correctional deputies were conducting a check of inmates housed in a minimum security dorm at the Butte County Jail. While correctional deputies were finishing the check, Michael Berry, age 29, of Chico was able to slip past an open door. Berry then traversed a fence and escaped from the jail. Correctional staff monitoring surveillance systems observed Berry exit the jail perimeter fence. Correctional staff immediately notified deputies of their observations, and deputies immediately began searching for Berry.
Deputies and detectives are actively searching for Berry. On the morning of January 25, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Berry for a felony charge of escaping from a custodial facility. A photograph of Berry is attached to this press release. Berry was a pre-sentenced inmate at the Butte County Jail and was booked January 11, 2021 for a felony burglary charge. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about Berry’s location to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 530-538-7322.
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January 21, 2021

CHICO RESIDENT ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

Chico, CA – In 2020, Butte County Sheriff’s Office detectives began investigating Ethan Angelo, age 18, of Chico. During the investigation detectives located evidence indicating Angelo was downloading child pornography. On January 14, 2021 detectives served a search warrant at Angelo’s residence, which is located in the 1600 block of Palm Avenue, Chico.
During the service of the search warrant detectives seized multiple electronic devices that belonged to Angelo. Detectives also located methamphetamine in Angelo’s bedroom. Detectives later conducted forensic searches of the electronic devices and located numerous images of child pornography and videos containing child pornography. Detectives also located evidence indicating Angelo was the individual who downloaded the child pornography.
On January 20, detectives placed Angelo under arrest for a felony count of possessing over 600 images of child pornography, for a felony count of unlawfully accessing a victim’s electronic device, and for a misdemeanor count of possession of a controlled substance. Angelo was booked into the Butte County Jail on January 20. Angelo later posted bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at the Butte County Superior Court on April 9, 2021 at 0830 AM. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with additional information about this investigation to contact Detective Mary Barker at 530-538-7671.
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January 20, 2021
Butte County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Helps Apprehend Armed Suspect
Oroville, CA- On Monday, January 18, 2021, at approximately 5:20 a.m., Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies were dispatched to Gold Country Casino in Oroville. Casino security staff contacted the BCSO Dispatch Center, advising a male was seen inside the casino with a handgun concealed in his waistband.
BCSO deputies responded to the casino and were advised the suspect, identified as Pedro Vazquez, age 29 of Willows, was currently on the casino floor. When deputies approached Vazquez, he turned towards deputies, reached for his waistband and attempted to flee. Out of fear for officer safety, and the safety of casino patrons, Deputy Hardwick’s police service dog (PSD) Enzo was deployed. Vazquez ran approximately 60-yards before Enzo made contact with him, allowing the deputies to safely take Vazquez into custody.
After further investigation, deputies located a loaded handgun approximately five-feet from where Vazquez was taken into custody. Vazquez, who is a convicted felon and is prohibited from carrying a firearm, was taken to a local hospital for treatment, and then booked into the Butte County Jail for being a felon in possession of a firearm, being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition, carrying a loaded firearm without being the registered owner, possession of a concealed weapon, and resisting/obstructing a police officer.
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January 19, 2021

BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SEARCHING FOR MISSING PERSON

Oroville, CA – The Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is actively looking for Tatiana Dugger, age 18, of Los Angeles. On January 9, Ms. Dugger’s family contacted the Oakland Police Department and completed a missing person report. On January 13, the Oakland Police Department requested the Butte County Sheriff’s Office assume jurisdiction of the aforementioned missing person investigation, since Ms. Dugger’s family resides in Butte County.
On the afternoon of January 13, detectives interviewed Ms. Dugger’s family members. After the interviews, detectives began conducting an investigation. During the investigation, detectives located evidence to include telephone records which indicate Ms. Dugger’s last known location was in Oakland. Detectives determined Ms. Dugger moved from Butte County to Los Angeles approximately three months ago.
Detectives have been in contact with the Oakland Police Department and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. Oakland Police detectives and Alameda County District Attorney Inspectors have been provided with all of the information detectives obtained during their follow-up investigation. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with additional information about Ms. Dugger’s location to contact detectives at 530-538-7671, or 530-538-7322. A photograph of Ms. Dugger is attached to this press release.
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January 15, 2021

FIVE ARRESTED DURING STORAGE UNIT BURGLARY INVESTIGATION
Chico, CA – Over the past several months, Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies have been investigating storage unit burglaries that have occurred in the Chico area. On January 2, 2021 Deputy Voris contacted Chad Parras, age 49, of Chico, at a storage unit facility located on Highway 32. Deputy Voris determined Parras was on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS). After conducting a search of Parras’ vehicle, Deputy Voris located evidence showing Parras had committed burglaries at a storage unit facility located on Highway 32. Deputy Voris placed Parras under arrest for violating the terms and conditions of his Post Release Community Supervision, and for a felony count of burglary.
After the arrest of Parras, Deputy Voris and Detective Mollath determined Parras was storing additional stolen property at a storage unit in the Chico area. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the aforementioned storage unit. During the execution of the search warrant, property taken during two additional storage unit burglaries was located. Based on the investigation, Parras was arrested for an additional two felony counts of burglary.
During the follow-up investigation, deputies located evidence indicating Matthew Myers, age 35, of Chico, was involved in the aforementioned storage unit burglaries. On January 11, 2021 deputies served a search warrant at Matthew Myers’ residence, which is located in the 10,000 block of Lone Pine Avenue, Chico. Myers was in custody at the Butte County Jail on a separate criminal case during the service of the search warrant. During the service of the search warrant deputies located numerous items of stolen property.
In December of 2020, deputies and detectives obtained evidence indicating Myers was responsible for forging checks from a local Oroville business. During this investigation additional evidence indicating Myers was responsible for the aforementioned check forgery was located.
During the investigation, deputies obtained evidence indicating additional stolen property was being stored at two additional storage units in the Chico area. On January 12, deputies served search warrants at the aforementioned storage units. During searches of the storage units additional stolen property was located. To date, deputies have located over $25,000 of stolen property and have identified approximately ten different victims.
As a result of this investigation the following individuals have been arrested:
Chad Parras, age 49, of Chico
Brittnie Fonseca, age 30, of Chico
Matthew Myers, age 35, of Chico
Lance Ostrander, age 43, of Oroville
Heidi Parras, age 39, of Chico
Deputies are conducting follow-up regarding this investigation, and additional arrests are anticipated.
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