PRESS RELEASE FEBRUARY 1, 2023 CASE 23-0057 FELONY ARREST

LOCATION:

1200 block of Storybook Lane - Paradise

Suspect(s): 

ELKINTON, DAVID ALEXANDER    02/09/1979

Crime / Offense:

29800(a)(1) PC - Felon/addic/possess/etc firearm (F)

30305(A)(1) PC - Prohibited person own/possess/etc ammunition/etc (F)

11351 HS - Possess/purchase for sale narcotic/controlled substance (F)

30605(A)PC - Illeglly possess any assualt weapon (F) 

33410 PC - Possess silencer (F)

24510 PC - Mfg/sale/possess/etc firearm not immediately recognizable (F)

32900 PC - Manufacture/sale/possession multiburst trigger activator (F)

29185 PC - CNC Milling Machine/Manufacture Firearm (M)

10851(A) VC - Take vehicle w/o owners consent/vehicle theft - Motor vehicle theft (F)

496D(A) PC - Possess stolen vehicle/vessel/etc (F)

11351a HS - Possess/purchase for sale narcotic/controlled substance (F)

11377(a) HS - Possess controlled substance (M)

11364(a) HS - Possess unlawful paraphernalia (M)

On January 20, 2023 at approximately 9:30PM, Paradise Police responded to a report of a theft from a PG&E yard, located in the 5600 block of Clark Road in Paradise. During the investigation officers developed information that the suspect was an employee of PG&E, identified as David Elkinton. Elkinton was recently arrested by Paradise Police for possession of a stolen PG&E forklift and was currently on leave from the company. It was also determined that Elkinton was a convicted felon.

Detective Dominic Vannucci, assigned to our Problem Oriented Policing Unit, conducted the initial investigation which revealed Elkinton had entered the PG&E yard, posing as a PG&E employee in good standing. He then stole a truck from the yard, loaded with generators, several spools of copper wire and miscellaneous battery-operated hand tools. After making several trips in and out of the PG&E yard, Elkinton returned the truck the same evening to conceal the theft of the tools, equipment, and construction supplies. The estimated value of the theft was more than $60,000.00. With this information, Detective Vannucci worked with the Butte County District Attorney’s Office to obtain a search warrant for David Elkinton’s residence.

On January 28, 2023, Paradise Police Department served a search warrant at Elkinton’s residence, located in the 1200 block of Storybook Lane in Paradise. During the warrant service, David Elkinton and two others were detained. The search initially resulted in the recovery of several suspected stolen items belonging to PG&E as well as a Kawasaki side by side off road vehicle, reported stolen out of Oregon.

Elkinton was also found to be in possession of miscellaneous gun parts, jigs and machinery commonly associated with the manufacturing of un-serialized firearms, also known as “ghost guns”. Additionally, an illegal short barreled rife (SBR), a .22 caliber rifle with modified illegal trigger, numerous high-capacity magazines, several suppressors, and thousands of rounds of ammunition, ranging from .22 caliber to .50 caliber were located.

Elkinton was also in possession of large quantities of suspected fentanyl, consistent with sales, methamphetamine and butane honey oil (BHO).

Elkinton was taken into custody without incident and booked into Butte County Jail on numerous charges related to the suspicion of theft, theft of a vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of high-capacity magazines, a suppressor as well as possession of ammunition and firearms by a felon, to include an illegal assault weapon.

In addition, Elkington was charged with possession for sale of suspected drugs (Fentanyl / Methamphetamine).

Two adult females were also contacted on the property during the search warrant service and taken into custody on warrants and unrelated charges.

Based on the aforementioned gun parts and equipment used in the manufacturing of ghost guns, Detective Vannucci again worked with the District Attorney’s Office and obtained an additional search warrant for several storage units known to be associated with Elkinton.

On January 30, 2023, the Paradise Police Department served the warrant at Extra Storage located in Paradise. While conducting the search, a suspected explosive device was located. The scene was evacuated and the Butte County Explosive Ordinance Unit was dispatched to render the device safe. Once the device was made safe, the search resumed.

The combined searches resulted in the recovery of the following:

An estimated 32,350 rounds of various caliber ammunition

More than 1,400 firearm parts

Approximately 60 firearms to include fully automatic devices

25 lbs of explosive material

Various illegal drugs

Based on these findings, the Paradise Police Department believes that David Elkinton is involved in the manufacturing and distribution of firearms.  Due to public safety concerns, the District Attorney's Office authorized Elkinton's bail to be set to "No Bail".

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Paradise Police Department at (530)872- 6241.

By using our available resources, the Paradise Police Department vows to vigorously and professionally pursue those who commit crimes and be sensitive and empathetic to those who have been victimized. We will endeavor to improve the quality-of-life in our community.