Crime and coincidence

Chico Police were called to the 600 block of Hickory Street at about 5:30 a.m. Monday (May 26) by residents who said they’d woken up to find a stranger in their apartment, stealing small items as he fled. Shortly afterward, police arrested 18-year-old Vincent Rangamar and charged him with residential burglary.

While Rangamar was being detained, the victims realized their 2002 Honda Civic was also missing. At about 7 a.m., another officer spotted the stolen vehicle speeding more than 100 mph on River Road. Minutes later, police received a report that the car crashed into a tree and the driver had run off.

The alleged driver—Justin Nelson, 23—was caught riding a bicycle nearby around 7:30 a.m. Nelson was charged with auto theft and other crimes, including committing a felony while on bail for a previous offense.

According to a press release, the suspects did not know each other, and their alleged targeting of the same victims was purely coincidental.