UPDATE
Concow, CA- At approximately 3:30 Monday afternoon, BCSO, in conjunction with BCSO Search and Rescue, were conducting an aerial search and located a body in a canyon in the search area. BCSO detectives and BCSO Search and Rescue responded to the area to help with the recovery of the body, which has been positively identified as Robert Gonzales. The investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it becomes available.
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October 8, 2018
Search Continues for Missing Chico Man
Concow, CA- On October 3, 2018, the Chico Police Department (CPD) received a report of a missing man, identified as Robert Gonzales, age 53, of Chico. Gonzales had been out of contact with his family members since October 1, 2018. Gonzales’ family members reported he was going to a friend’s property in the Big Bend area of Concow, which is located in the unincorporated area of Butte County. Family members advised that Gonzales was planning to stay on the property for a few days.
CPD referred the case to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) on October 4, 2018. BCSO patrol deputies then contacted the owner of the property, who advised that Gonzales was not there. On October 5, 2018, the case was assigned to BCSO detectives, who responded to the area in Concow to search for Gonzales and interview potential witnesses. On both October 6th and 7th, BCSO deputies responded to the area in Concow to follow-up on leads.
As of October 8, 2018, the investigation and search for Gonzales continues. BCSO is being assisted by the California Highway Patrol, who will be flying in the area to search for signs of Gonzales. Additionally, BCSO Search & Rescue members will be deployed along with BCSO deputies to search the rugged terrain in the area. BCSO detectives are treating this case as suspicious in nature, due to the family’s assertion that it is out of character for Gonzales to go so long without contacting them. BCSO detectives continue to follow-up on leads.
Gonzales is described as a Hispanic male, 5’8” tall, 180 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a dark jacket and tan pants. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact BCSO Detective Brewton at (530) 538-7671.
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October 4, 2018

BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE DEPUTY ARRESTS THREE IN CONNECTION WITH DRUG SALES TRANSACTION

Released By: Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force Sergeant Sam Burnett

Oroville, Ca-- On October 2, 2018 at approximately 1:15AM, Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force (BINTF) was contacted by Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Deputy Bradley Buchwalter to assist with a drug sales case.  Deputy Buchwalter had contacted a group of people in the area of Wheeler Avenue and Upper Palermo Road in Oroville.  Deputy Buchwalter had been dispatched to this location on a report of gunshots being heard in the area.

Several people were contacted by Deputy Buchwalter. Daniel James Nott (age 43) was found to be in possession of a small amount of heroin. Nott was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance. Stacy Chiatovich (age 53) was found to be in possession of a small amount of methamphetamine as well as drug paraphernalia. Chiatovich was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Lindsey Ann Richardson AKA Clark (age 40) was determined to have an active warrant for her arrest and was also placed under arrest. 

Upon further investigation, Deputy Buchwalter located evidence indicating sales of a controlled substance; however, other than the small amount of heroin and methamphetamine, no substantial amounts were initially located.

Prior to entering the Butte County Jail, Richardson admitted to having additional controlled substances concealed inside her clothing. In total approximately 50 grams of heroin, 20.3 grams of methamphetamine and 28.1 grams of marijuana were located during this incident.  The typical dosage unit for heroin and methamphetamine is approximately 1 tenth of a gram per dose.  Based on this, Richardson possessed approximately 500 dosage units of heroin (a street value of approximately $5,000) and 200 dosage units of methamphetamine (a street value of approximately $800.00). 

Richardson is being held at the Butte County Jail for possession for sale of heroin, possession for sale of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and the outstanding arrest warrant with bail set at $90,000.00.

Chiatovich and Nott were booked into the Butte County Jail and later released with a notice to appear due to the fact that their charges were misdemeanors.

No evidence of any shots being fired was located throughout this investigation.

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BCSO Community Relations Unit

530.871.9440

October 3, 2018

UPDATE: SUSPECT ARRESTED IN BERRY CREEK HOME INVASION ROBBERY

Berry Creek, Ca—Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Detectives have identified a suspect in the Berry Creek home invasion robbery that occurred on October 1, 2018.

After receiving treatment for his injuries at a local hospital, 44 year old Cheng Vang, from Oroville, was arrested for home invasion robbery, and being armed in the commission of a felony. Vang was booked into the Butte County Jail with bail set at $65,000.00.

This investigation is ongoing, no additional information is available at this time.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the BCSO Investigations Unit at 538-7671.

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BCSO Community Relations Unit

530.871.9440

 

October 1, 2018

BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE DETECTIVES INVESTIGATE ATTEMPTED ROBBERY IN BERRY CREEK

Berry Creek, Ca— At approximately 4:40am, on October 1, 2018, Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) received a report of an attempted robbery of a marijuana garden located on Outpost Road in Berry Creek.

BCSO Deputies and Detectives responded to the scene. The victims in this incident fought back, and were able to subdue one of the suspects, who was detained and transported to a local hospital and is being treated for injuries. Additional suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction.

Two victims in this incident were injured, both were treated and released from a local hospital.

This is an ongoing investigation. Detectives are not releasing the suspect’s name at this time. An updated press release will be sent as soon as more information is available.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the BCSO Investigations Unit at 538-7671.

October 1, 2018

BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE DETECTIVES INVESTIGATE ATTEMPTED ROBBERY IN BERRY CREEK

Berry Creek, Ca— At approximately 4:40am, on October 1, 2018, Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) received a report of an attempted robbery of a marijuana garden located on Outpost Road in Berry Creek.

BCSO Deputies and Detectives responded to the scene. The victims in this incident fought back, and were able to subdue one of the suspects, who was detained and transported to a local hospital and is being treated for injuries. Additional suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction.

Two victims in this incident were injured, both were treated and released from a local hospital.

This is an ongoing investigation. Detectives are not releasing the suspect’s name at this time. An updated press release will be sent as soon as more information is available.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the BCSO Investigations Unit at 538-7671.

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BCSO Community Relations Unit

530.871.9440

September 28, 2018
BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE WARNS CITIZENS TO BE AWARE OF PHONE AND E-MAIL SCAMS
Butte County, Ca—Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Detectives have seen an increase in reports of phone and e-mail scams in Butte County. It is expected that the scams will continue to increase with the holiday season approaching. There are many different phone and e-mail scams, and they are constantly changing; however, there are ways to avoid becoming a victim.
• Never open unsolicited e-mails.
• Don’t click on links that are e-mailed or texted to you.
• Do not provide personal identifying information over the phone, legitimate businesses will not call you to ask for this information.
• If contacted by a “debt collector” verify their information.
• The IRS and local law enforcement will not call you and demand money in lieu of being arrested.
• Do not pay for goods or services with Green Dot Money Cards, iTunes gift cards or Google play cards. If this is a requested method of payment, it’s a scam.
Many times phone and e-mail scams target the elderly in our community, but anyone can become a victim. BCSO urges citizens to be vigilant and report suspicious phone calls or e-mails to local law enforcement.
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