6 Alleged Camp Fire Looters Arrested In Butte County

BUTTE COUNTY, CA – Authorities have arrested six people suspected of looting in the evacuation zones of the Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history.

After being tipped off by a Pacific Gas & Electric Company employee, deputies from the Butte County Sheriff's Office found Jason Burns, 41, of Chico, and Michael Salisbury, 48, of Reno, Monday, Nov. 12, inside a home that had been evacuated on Quail Run Drive in Butte Creek Canyon.

The men were found hiding inside a bedroom at the home, which belonged to a relative of Burns who did not know he and Salisbury were there.

Deputies searched the home and found a .45-caliber handgun, loaded magazines for the firearm, methamphetamine, heroin and drug paraphernalia, according to the sheriff's office. The handgun was registered to an evacuated home in Paradise.

Inside the garage, deputies found an AR-15 rifle, several chainsaws and tools suspected to be stolen, according to the sheriff's office. An ATV located outside the home had also been reported stolen.

Burns and Salisbury were arrested and booked into Butte County Jail on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possessing an assault weapon, possessing a fully automatic weapon, possessing a controlled substance while armed, possessing a stolen vehicle, and entering an evacuated area. Bail was set at $89,000

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, deputies arrested Teddy King, 27, of Paradise, and John Brown, 38, of Oroville, after finding them on a bike path on Skyway below Honey Run Road, an area that had also been evacuated.

The men were found with a laptop that did not belong to either one of them, as well as a ski mask, drugs and drug paraphernalia, according to the sheriff's office. They were arrested and booked into Butte County Jail on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

Also on Tuesday, deputies arrested Shayne Tinnel Jr., 22, and Tracy Sizer, 42, both of Magalia. They were found near Benatar Way in Chico inside a motorhome that had been reported stolen from an area of Magalia that had been evacuated, according to the sheriff's office.

They were arrested and booked into Butte County Jail on suspicion of stealing a vehicle, possessing a stolen vehicle and looting.

Also see: 48 Dead In Camp Fire In Butte County, Toll Expected To Rise

As of Wednesday, Nov. 14, the Camp Fire had scorched 135,000 acres and destroyed 7,600 single-family homes, 95 multi-family homes, 260 businesses and 859 minor structures in Butte County. Another 15,500 structures remained threatened, according to Cal Fire.

Officials said they discovered the remains of six more people on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 48. Dozens of more people remained missing.

Images via Butte County Sheriff's Office