Oroville man arrested for stealing wood in Paradise

PARADISE » Paradise Police said on Thursday that they arrested a Oroville man on Tuesday night following a report of suspicious circumstances. Police say that on Tuesday night, they received a report of a suspicious subject in the area of Buschmann and Foster roads.

The reporting party reportedly told police that the subjectwas cuttingwood on a cleared residential lot late at night. When officers arrived on scene they say that when they contacted Jose Melchor, 48, he was in the process of putting logs into a utility trailer attached to a black Honda Accord.

Police say the vehicle belonged to Melchor who told police he was collecting the wood in hopes of making money. However, officers say that he did not have permission from the property owner who Melchor believe hewas helping out by taking the wood.

Police arrested the man for petty theft.

The Paradise Police Department reminds everyone that, in the coming months, many trees will be felled in Paradise by private property owners and Cal- OES contractors. Often, the harvesting of the wood is an included part of the contract. Private contractors not involved with the felling of trees or harvesting of timber froma propertywill need to contact the property owner and/or primary tree contractor to obtain permission to take the wood. Do not assume that the trees are free for the taking just because they are left accessible near the road.