OROVILLE, CA (MPG) – The Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) announced the arrest of Joshua Masterson of Chico, age 29. On December 11, 2019, BCSO attempted to conduct a traffic enforcement stop near West East Avenue, Chico. The vehicle failed to yield and fled at a high rate of speed. The vehicle eventually turned into a residential area, hit a citizen’s wooden fence, and then drove head-on into a BCSO patrol vehicle. After hitting the patrol vehicle, the vehicle backed up and fled. The pursuit continued to the area of West 11th Avenue at which time the occupants of the vehicle fled on foot. The patrol vehicle received minor damage and the Deputy was not injured.

Deputies and Detectives conducted follow-up and located video surveillance from a local store. Based on Deputies observations and the video, Deputies identified the driver of the vehicle as Masterson. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Masterson for felony assault with a deadly weapon and felony evading. Deputies and Detectives determined Masterson was also on active California State Parole. Detectives have been attempting to locate Masterson for the past two months.

In January 2020, Special Agents from the California Department of Corrections began assisting with the investigation. On February 3, Special Agents from the California Department of Corrections served an arrest warrant in the 15000 block of Vierra Road, Rackerby. BCSO provided air support while the warrant was served. After an extended period of time law enforcement located Masterson in the attic of the residence. Masterson was placed under arrest for a parole violation, felony assault with a deadly weapon, and felony evading. Masterson was booked into the Butte County Jail on the evening of February 3.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about this investigation to contact Detective Vaj Thao at 530-538-7671.