Chico, Calif. - Chico Police have increased patrols at Chico Community Park on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway after reports of an increase in drug activity, suspicious people and illegal camping at the park.
On Thursday morning about 11:30 officers were on patrol when they spotted a stolen vehicle in the north parking lot of the park.
The vehicle had been reported stolen to Chico P.D. on Wednesday.
Noone was in the car at the time.
The registered owner arrived on scene and confirmed the vehicle was his. He also told police he was missing a pair of shoes, a cell phone charging cord and a portable electronic device.
While officers were speaking with the victim, staff from the park alerted officers of two possible suspects they witnessed leaving the vehicle prior to officers arriving. Park staff pointed out the two near the Virginia Street entrance to Community Park.
Joshua Sharp, 38, and Christina Ryan, 33, were positively identified by staff at the park as the occupants of the stolen vehicle.
Police also say Sharp was in possession of the victim’s charging cord as well as wearing the victim’s shoes.
The victim’s key to his vehicle was also located in Sharp’s belongings. Ryan was in possession of illegal narcotics.
Both Sharp and Ryan were placed under arrest.
Sharp was arrested for possession of stolen property, a stolen vehicle and Ryan was placed under arrest for possession of drugs.
Both were transported to the Butte County Jail.
The vehicle and property were given back to the victim at the scene.