CHICO, Calif. – An investigation into storage unit burglaries in the Chico area led to the arrest of five Butte County residents.

Over the past several months, Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies said they have been investigating storage unit burglaries that have occurred in the Chico area.

On January 2, 2021, authorities contacted 49-year-old Chad Parras of Chico, at a storage unit facility located on Highway 32.

Parras was on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS). After conducting a search of Parras’ vehicle, Deputy Voris located evidence showing he had committed burglaries at a storage unit facility located on Highway 32. Parras was placed under arrest for violating the terms and conditions of his Post Release Community Supervision, and for a felony count of burglary, according to BCSO.

After the arrest of Parras, authorities say they determined Parras was storing additional stolen property at a storage unit in the Chico. During a search warrant of the storage unit, property taken during two additional storage unit burglaries was found by investigators. Based on the investigation, deputies said Parras was arrested for an additional two felony counts of burglary.

During a follow-up investigation, deputies say they located evidence that 35-year-old Matthew Myers of Chico, was involved in the same storage unit burglaries as Parras.

On Jan. 11, deputies served a search warrant at Myers’ residence, located on Lone Pine Avenue in Chico. Deputies said they located several stolen items. Detectives said Myers was in custody at the Butte County Jail on a separate criminal case during the service of the search warrant.

Deputies said they learned additional stolen property was also being stored at two additional storage units in Chico.

On Jan. 12, deputies served search warrants at the two storage units, additional stolen property was located. To date, deputies say they have located over $25,000 of stolen property and have identified approximately 10 different victims.

BCSO identified a total of five people who were arrested in connection to the storage unit burglary investigation. Chad Parras, Brittnie Fonseca, Matthew Myers, Lance Ostrander, and Heidi Parras. BCSO said additional arrests in this investigation are anticipated.