A home and truck in ruin after the Park Fire swept through a residential area in Butte County, Calif., Wednesday, July 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Ty O'Neil)
Butte County Sheriff’s Office deputies and detectives arrested two suspects in a burglary that took place while Cohasset residents were evacuated from the Park Fire, according to a Thursday evening press release.
A Cohasset resident, who was escorted into the community by a deputy Tuesday, looked through his residence and reported that his Jeep, a generator and other items were stolen from his shop.
An investigation by the Sheriff’s Office led the Chico Police Department to recover the stolen Jeep the same day in front of a residence on Jasper Drive; investigators then served a warrant for that residence Thursday, according to the release.
Deputies reported finding suspected drugs, firearms and stolen property at the residence; and arrested Joshua Emerson, 48, of Cohasset, and Rose Sutton, 41, of Chico.
Detectives reported finding evidence giving them cause to believe both Emerson and Sutton knowingly walked into Cohasset as the area was under evacuation during the Park Fire. The release said Emerson allegedly stole items and the Jeep from the person’s shop, then drove down to Chico with Sutton.
Detectives also served a search warrant at Emerson’s residence in Cohasset, but no result was reported.
Emerson was booked at Butte County Jail on suspicion of burglary, vehicle theft, conspiracy and petty theft. Sutton was booked on suspicion of possessing stolen property and conspiracy. Both are charged with misdemeanor counts of entering an evacuation area.
Another arrest
A Cohasset man, suspected of possessing child pornography, was arrested Aug. 1 in Red Bluff after Butte County Sheriff’s Office detectives searched his residence while the community was under evacuation order from the Park Fire.
According to Megan McMann, BCSO’s community relations coordinator, an investigation taking place before the Park Fire led detectives to obtain a warrant and search the computer of 56-year-old Michael Markham. A press release Thursday said detectives found more than 600 images and numerous videos of child pornography on the laptop; and evidence BCSO claims links ownership to Markham.
According to the release, detectives also served a search warrant on July 31 at Markham’s residence in Cohasset — a day the area area was under evacuation.
Markham was booked at Butte County Jail on suspicion of possessing child pornography, possessing more than 600 images of child pornography and possessing child pornography depicting sexual sadism.
Insurance claims
State Farm opened a customer care site 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Home Depot, 2580 Notre Dame Blvd., to assist residents’ insurance claims response to the Park Fire, according to a press release Friday by the insurance company.
The release said State Farm will help policyholders with their claims and may help with conducting virtual inspections once it can be safely done.
State Farm customers impacted by the Park Fire may file their claim by calling 1-800-SFCLAIM or texting the word “CLAIM” to 62789.
Evacuation shelter closes
The evacuation shelter at Neighborhood Church in Chico was scheduled to close at 11:59 p.m. Friday as all evacuees in need of a place to stay have been assisted, according to a press release Friday afternoon by Butte County.
The county urges residents who are returning home to pick their animals up from the small animal shelter at 2279 Del Oro Ave. in Oroville and from the large animal shelter at 1985 Clark Road at the Camelot Equestrian Park. Photos of pets at the small animal shelter may be found at 24petconnect.com/event/parkfire.
Originally published at Michael Weber