Man arrested at Walmart after allegedly stealing pickup from driveway

CHICO » A man was arrested Thursday morning in a Walmart parking lot several hours after he allegedly stole an unoccupied pickup from a person’s driveway while the engine was running.

In a press release, the Chico Police Department identified the man as Harry Akerson, 33, of Chico, who was arrested on suspicion of unlawful taking of a vehicle, possession of stolen property, driving without a license, and possession of burglary tools, after the owner of the pickup and his wife spotted the pickup in the parking lot.

At approximately 5:52 a. m. Thursday morning, the pickup’s owner, who was not identified in the release, started the pickup in the driveway of his residence, located in the 1500 block of Nord Avenue, and went back inside while it warmed up. When he heard the sound of the pickup beginning to move, he spotted a man driving away in his vehicle.

Chico police officers responded to the location where the pickup was stolen and the man provided a description of the man.

Then at approximately 10: 33 a. m., while at Walmart, located at 2044 Forest Ave., the man’s wife spotted the pickup in the parking lot and notified law enforcement. The man also responded to the scene, and while in the parking lot near the pickup, noticed a man, later identified as Akerson, who resembled the suspect.

Officers detained Akerson, who was later identified by the pickup owner as the man who stole it.

According to the release, Akerson had the man’s car keys and other stolen property. Akerson is also currently on parole. In January 2012, Akerson was arrested nearly six hours after a short highspeed pursuit through Paradise and an extensive search of Butte Creek Canyon, the Paradise Post reported.

Akerson was booked into the Butte County Jail just after 3 p.m. Thursday.

The Chico Police Department urged residents not to leave their vehicles running while unattended.