Photo: Charles Bates
Originally published as a City of Chico press release –
“On June 27, 2021, at about 9:30 p.m., Chico Police Officers were on patrol in the area of Cohasset Lane. Officers observed a suspicious vehicle and attempted to contact the driver. The driver, Charles Bates, briefly stopped for officers then accelerated his vehicle at a high rate of speed in an attempt to flee the area.
Within seconds the vehicle collided with a curb in the rear parking lot of Enloe Fountain Medical Plaza, 251 Cohasset Road. The collision sheared a wheel off the vehicle. Bates lost control of the vehicle, hit a tree and fled the area on foot. Officers searched the area with the assistance of a police K-9 but were unable to locate him.
Bates was on Mandatory Supervision out of Butte County for a prior weapons conviction and he had a felony warrant for his arrest. Officers searched Bates’ vehicle and recovered a 9mm Glock style “ghost gun” loaded with a 30-round magazine, approximately 1 pound of crystal methamphetamine, and numerous items associated with the sales of narcotics.
At approximately 11:50 p.m., officers located Bates hiding in an apartment on Cohasset Lane. Officers surrounded the residence and called out to Bates on a patrol vehicle public address (PA) system. After about 30 minutes of callouts officers convinced Bates to surrender without further incident.
Bates was booked into the Butte County Jail for violations of sections 29800(a)(1) PC- Felon in Possession of a Firearm, 30305(a)(1) PC- Felon in Possession of Ammunition, 11379(a) H&S- Transportation for Sale of Methamphetamine, 11370.1(a) H&S- Possession of Methamphetamine while Armed with a Loaded Firearm, 25400(a)(1) PC- Carrying a Concealed Firearm, 148(a)(1) PC- Resisting Arrest, 20002(a) CVC- Hit and Run, and 1203.2(a) PC-Violation of Mandatory Supervision.”
