Burgled, burned, busted

After extinguishing a fire at an Oroville residence Monday morning (Dec. 12), Butte County Fire personnel found the home had been burglarized before being intentionally set ablaze, according to a press release from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.

A BCSO deputy responded to the scene on Arbol Drive, and while searching a nearby wooded area found property taken from the home, including an ATV. He also found Richard Thomas Harris (pictured), 33, of Montesano, Wash., hiding in a pile of brush. Harris was allegedly in possession of a handgun and ammunition stolen from the home, drug paraphernalia and items stolen from a Medford, Ore., residence.

Harris is being charged with numerous offenses including arson, two counts of burglary, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He is being held in Butte County Jail with no bail due to an outstanding warrant in Placer County.