Press Release: PG&E Equipment Yard Theft & Yard Arrest - PPD Case # 24-0907

PRESS RELEASE

On 10/13/2024 at about 12:05 AM Paradise Police officers responded to a PG&E equipment yard, located at the corner of Pentz Road and Stearns Road, on a report of two subjects observed on surveillance camera inside the yard. Upon arrival, officers discovered the fencing had been cut in several places and multiple vehicles and trailers had been rummaged through. The suspects were not located, however, several items appeared to have been staged in preparation for the suspects' return.

Upon completing the initial investigation, a PPD officer conducted surveillance of the equipment yard. About an hour later the officer observed a suspicious vehicle arrive and park on an empty lot not far from the equipment yard.  Officers responded and contacted the vehicle's occupants, identified as 38-year-old Olivehurst resident, Jonathan Diaz and 35-year-old Marysville resident, Kara Nickles.

While speaking to Diaz and Nickles officers observed a spool of copper wire partially concealed under a tarp in the back seat of the vehicle. Based on the investigation, Diaz and Nickles were arrested on suspicion of grand theft from the equipment yard. A search of the vehicle located numerous tools and equipment and six spools of copper wire. The items were determined to have been taken from the PG&E equipment yard and had an estimated value of over $10,000. It was also determined Nickles had provided a false name to officers, and she was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine and associated paraphernalia.

Diaz and Nickles were booked into Butte County Jail on charges of felony 487(A)PC (Grand Theft), felony 182(A)(1)PC (Conspiracy to Commit a Crime), misdemeanor 594PC (Vandalism) and misdemeanor 466PC (Possession of Burglary Tools). Nickles was additionally charged with misdemeanor 11377HS (Possession of a Controlled Substance), 11364HS (Possession of Narcotic Paraphernalia), and 1203.2PC (Violation of Probation).