OROVILLE, CA (MPG) – On September 13, 2020, Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies were patrolling the area of Cherokee Road, Oroville. The area deputies were patrolling is currently under an Evacuation Order because of the Bear Fire. Deputies contacted an individual who was later identified as Friedrich Muniaerts, age 49, of Oroville. Deputies determined Muniaerts had a no bail warrant for violating the terms and conditions of his California State Parole. Muniaerts was placed under arrest without incident. During the arrest deputies determined Muniaerts was in possession of stolen property.

Deputies and detectives conducted follow-up and determined Muniaerts resided at a residence located in the 1100 block of Cherokee Road. Detectives determined Muniaerts evacuated his residence around September 8, when the Bear Fire began. Detectives determined on September 10, Muniaerts snuck around a road block and illegally re-entered the evacuated Cherokee area.

Deputies and detectives determined the stolen property Muniaerts was in possession of was taken from a victim who lived in an evacuation zone. Deputies responded to the victim’s residence and determined a burglary had occurred sometime between September 9 and September 13.

On September 14, detectives conducted a search of Muniaerts’ residence and located additional stolen property that was taken during the burglary. Detectives also located ammunition. Muniaerts was placed under arrest for one felony count of residential burglary, one felony count of being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition, and one misdemeanor count of unlawful entry into an evacuation zone.

Update:

Detectives determined a credit card belonging to the victim was taken during the burglary. Detectives conducted follow-up and determined the stolen credit card had been used to purchase tools and construction supplies at the Oroville Home Depot on September 12. Detectives obtained video surveillance and determined Sunshine Galvez, age 46, of Oroville was the individual who used the stolen credit card at Home Depot. Detectives determined Galvez is an associate of Friedrich Muniaerts. On September 16, detectives obtained a felony arrest warrant for Galvez. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with additional information about this investigation or the location of Galvez to contact Detective Zachary Price at 530-538-7671.