March 14, 2019

BCSO DETECTIVES ARREST SUSPECT IN CONNECTION TO 2017 HOMICIDE

Oroville, CA—Due to information gathered during the ongoing investigation into the death of Lorenzo Paz, II, Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) detectives arrested Jeffrey Parrish, age 31, from Oroville. Parrish was arrested on 3/12/19 at a residence in the 2600 block of V6 Road in Oroville, and was charged with homicide in the death of Lorenzo Paz, II.

Parrish was booked into the Butte County Jail with no bail.

This investigation is ongoing, anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the BCSO Investigations Unit at 538-7671.

 

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Original Press Release:

Oroville, CA- On Saturday, October 21, 2017, at approximately 10:30 a.m., the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) received a report of a deceased male inside a home on the 2900 block of Greenville Street in Oroville. When deputies arrived to the home, they found a deceased male inside the home, who had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. The death has been ruled a homicide. The victim has been identified as Lorenzo Paz II, age 21, of Oroville. 

No arrests have been made. The investigation is ongoing. To protect the integrity of the investigation, additional details are not being released at this time. The autopsy is scheduled for this week. Anyone with information is asked to contact BCSO Detective Beller at (530) 538-7671. 

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March 13, 2019
SEARCH WARRANT LEADS TO DISCOVERY OF BUTANE HONEY OIL EXTRACTION LABORATORY
Oroville, Ca--On March 13, 2019 at approximately 7:30 AM, the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force with the assistance of the Butte County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Unit and Butte County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit, served a search warrant at a residence in the 2600 block of V-6 Road in Oroville.  Jason Michael Parrish, age 37 and Chelsey Gutierrez, age 25, were contacted and detained at the residence.  After a search was conducted, a butane honey oil extraction laboratory was located as well as a small amount of methamphetamine.  
Parrish was placed under arrest and booked into the Butte County Jail for manufacturing a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance, his bail was set at $103,000.00.  Gutierrez was booked into the Butte County Jail for manufacturing a controlled substance and a probation violation, his bail was set at $101,000.00.  
Butane honey oil extraction is a very dangerous process that has resulted in numerous explosions, deaths and injuries throughout California and the United States. Butane honey oil extraction laboratories are becoming more and more prominent with the legalization of marijuana in California.  
Manufacturing butane honey oil is illegal, dangerous and is a serious felony similar to manufacturing methamphetamine.  Anyone with information regarding the manufacturing of butane honey oil should contact the Butte County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Unit or the Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force at 530-538-2261.
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March 5, 2019
BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE DEPUTY DETAINS INMATE AFTER ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE DURING JURY TRIAL
Oroville, Ca—On March 1, 2019 Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Deputy Christofferson was assigned as a Bailiff in a jury trial involving Dustin Tyler Lehning, age 35, from Chico,  who was on trial for felony elder abuse of his mother. Lehning was facing the possibility of life in prison due to his charges. At approximately 9:00AM, Deputy Murray, who was on his last shift prior to retirement, entered the courtroom to assist Deputy Christofferson. 
Deputy Christofferson briefly left the courtroom to deliver paperwork to a second courtroom. At that time, Deputy Murray observed Lehning displaying behavior leading him to believe Lehning may be looking for a way to escape. Deputy Murray positioned himself between the door of the courtroom and Lehning. 
Soon after the jury was dismissed, Lehning stood up and moved towards a Deputy District Attorney. Deputy Murray quickly responded and sat Lehning back down in his chair. Lehning stood up a second time, Deputy Murray attempted to restrain him; however, Lehning resisted and was able to pull away. Lehning then ran towards the front door of the courtroom. Deputy Murray chased Lehning through the courtroom and stopped him at the courtroom door; however, Lehning resisted and was able to crawl out of the courtroom door, into the front hallway of the courthouse. Lehning continued to resist, struggling to get away. Deputy Murray deployed his Taser in an effort to successfully restrain Lehning. 
Deputy Christofferson returned from the second courtroom and immediately assisted Deputy Murray by applying handcuffs to Lehning and escorted him to a courthouse holding cell. 
Lehning was transported back to the Butte County Jail, where he was evaluated and cleared by medical staff. 
Lehning was convicted on the felony elder abuse charges and remains booked at the Butte County Jail. We have requested that additional charges be filed for his attempted escape. 
The level of observation and professionalism shown by Deputy Murray during this incident was critical to the successful outcome. We wish him the very best in retirement.
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March 2, 2019
Residential Burglary in North Chico
19-01535


On 03/02/2019 at approximately 0132 hours, Butte County Sheriff’s Deputies Harper and Robertson were on uniformed patrol on the north end of Chico. Deputies Harper and Robertson were aware of an increase in burglaries in the W. Eaton Rd area of town.

While patrolling the area of Weymouth Way and Southbury Lane, Deputies Harper and Robertson located a white hatchback style vehicle. The vehicle’s rear hatch was open, and miscellaneous property was spread on the ground around it. Deputies Harper and Robertson observed two individuals associated to the vehicle. Both men were later positively identified as Michael Borden (10/09/89) and William Omler (01/27/71).

Deputies Harper and Robertson thought it was odd for the individuals to be moving property at that time of night. As Deputies Harper and Robertson attempted to make contact with the individuals, Omler fled the scene on foot. Deputies canvassed the neighborhood, including waking residences and checking yards, in an attempt to located Omler, but were unable to locate him at that time.

Deputies Harper and Robertson detained Borden. Through the course of their investigation, Deputies Harper and Robertson discovered that Bolden and Omler burglarized a garage in the Weymouth Way area. The resident of the home was contacted and identified the recovered property as belonging to him.

Later the same day, Butte County Sheriff’s Deputies, with the help of the Chico Police Department, located and arrested Olmer for the his part in the above burglary. Both Borden and Omler were booked into the Butte County Jail on charges of residential burglary and possession of stolen property, each with a bail of $103,000. Omler was also held on a violation of Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS), related to an unrelated criminal conviction.

The Butte County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizens that with the recent influx in property related crimes, it is very important to make sure that they secure their garages, as well as vehicles, at night.
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February 25, 2019

MULTIPLE FIREARMS SEIZED ON TRAFFIC STOP

Chico, Ca--On February 24, 2019, Deputies Barker and Galvez were doubled up on patrol in the Chico area.  Deputy Barker initiated a traffic stop on a small Toyota pickup in the area of Esplanade and Aspen Glen Drive.  The pickup did not have a working license plate light.

While contacting the two males in the vehicle, Deputy Galvez saw part of a rifle under items of clothing on the rear floorboard.  Deputies removed the men from the vehicle and detained them before conducting a search of the vehicle. 

The search resulted in the seizure of a 45 caliber pistol, an AK-47 assault rifle, an AR-15 assault rifle, and loaded high capacity magazines. 

21-year-old Cristian Jesus Lambera Pimentel and 28-year-old Jorge Mardanado Castaneda were arrested for a Concealed Firearm in a Vehicle, Carrying a Loaded Firearm in a Vehicle, two counts of Illegally Possessing an Assault Weapon, and two counts of Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine. Both men were booked at the Butte County Jail with bail set in the amount of $64,000.