PRESS RELEASE: 23-0968 / 23-0971 / 23-0972
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 28, 2023
On December 25, 2023, at approximately 10:26 PM Paradise Police received a report from Best Western Hotel, located at 5445 Clark Road, for a report of a customer exhibiting strange behavior. On arrival at the hotel, officers contacted 57-year-old Citrus Heights resident, Anthony Chance. Based on Chance’s demeanor hotel staff asked that Chance be removed from the property for the safety and comfort of their guests. Chance refused to leave the location and was taken into custody for a trespassing violation where he was then transported and booked into Butte County Jail. Chance was given a further trespass admonishment and told he was not allowed to return to the hotel.
On December 27, 2023, at approximately 7:26 PM, staff from Best Western called 911 to report that Chance was observed on video surveillance sneaking into the hotel. Sergeant Nichols, Officer Archuleta, and Officer Curtis responded to the hotel and located Chance in a room on the third floor. Chance was taken into custody without incident and again booked into Butte County Jail for trespassing.
On December 28, 2023, at approximately 1:15 AM, staff from Best Western called to report hearing a loud crashing sound coming from the area of Ridge Lifeline Church, located across the street at 5475 Clark Road. Sergeant Nichols, Officer Archuleta, and Officer Curtis responded to the church where they heard the fire alarm sounding and discovered a large rock had been used to smash the front window of the church. Officers conducted a perimeter check of the building where they observed flames coming from the kitchen area located on the north side of the church. At least one fire suppression sprinkler was activated and was actively flooding the church. Officers retrieved fire extinguishers from their patrol vehicles and made a tactical entry into the church to extinguish the fire and prevent the further spread of the flames. The fire was contained to a small area of the kitchen however the church suffered severe water damage as a result of the fire suppression system as well as smoke damage.
Suspecting Chance was responsible for the arson officers put out an initial BOL and requested assistance from Butte County Deputies to search the area. While coordinating with Cal Fire personnel Butte County Dispatch received a call from a taxi driver who reported they had picked up a fare near the church, identified as Anthony Chance. The taxi driver advised Chance admitted to starting the fire and wanted to turn himself in. The taxi driver transported Chance back to the church where he was taken into custody without incident.
Based on a subsequent investigation by Investigator Elvis from the Law Enforcement division of Cal Fire, it was determined the natural gas valves on the commercial stove in the kitchen had been turned on by Chance to allow gas to escape and that he had set a fire ignition source to create an explosion. The motivation for the arson is still under investigation.
Chance was booked into Butte County Jail on felony charges of 594.3(a) PC (Vandalize Place of Worship), 459 PC (Burglary), and 451(C) PC (Arson). Chance was also determined to be an Arson registrant out of Sacramento. Based on the severity of the crimes a Bail Increase of 100,000.00 was granted.
LOCATION: 5475 Clark Road
SUSPECT(S): CHANCE, ANTHONY ALAN 11/21/1966
INVESTIGATING OFFICER: Officer D. Archuleta
APPROVING SUPERVISOR: Sgt R. Nichols
