Wanted man in stolen car flees from police, deputies from Paradise to Chico

PARADISE, Calif. — A man wanted by the Paradise Police Department (PPD) was arrested on Wednesday in Chico after fleeing from police.

It started near Skyway and Jewell Rd. in Paradise around 11:15 a.m. when an officer saw Christopher Avey, who was wanted by the PPD for several crimes including a previous vehicle theft and storage unit burglaries.

When Avey saw the officer, he took off, nearly colliding with a patrol vehicle and leading the officer on a short pursuit, according to police. But, due to traffic and Avey's erratic driving, the PPD didn't continue the pursuit.

Police say Avey was in a blue Honda CRV, which later was discovered to be stolen out of Chico in November.

The PPD says Avey continued driving down Skyway, without regard to public safety, towards Chico. Multiple deputies with the Butte County Sheriff's Office also saw Avey driving but decided not to pursue him also because of his erratic driving.

Avey drove the stolen Honda to an apartment in the 2200 block of Notre Dame Blvd. and fled from the car, according to officers.

Around 11:45 a.m., the Chico Police Department (CPD) responded to reports of someone acting erratically about a block away. They then found Avey walking in the area where he parked the CRV and arrested him.

Inside the stolen car, police say there was a concealed firearm, suspected fentanyl, and stolen property.

Avey was booked into the Butte County Jail on multiple charges including evading police, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a stolen vehicle and stolen property, possession of burglary tools, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of teargas.