(KRON) — A “den of thieves” involving 17 suspects repeatedly targeted the home of a 64-year-old woman in a remote area of Butte County, causing damages so severe that bears were able to get inside, according to prosecutors.
The ongoing spree of burglaries at the Lovelock home began on April 17, 2024, the Butte County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday in a news release. The criminal activity occurred “with such frequency that the victim was forced to stay away out of fear that the burglars would find her at her residence” during the break-ins, prosecutors said.
Bears were able to get inside the home after the intruders would leave the place in disarray, according to the DA’s office. The four-legged trespassers caused further damage to the property.
Following an investigation by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, 17 people were identified as being connected to the burglaries. Charges have been filed against 11 of the suspects:
- Sean Anthony Crua, 43, of Magalia
- Nicholas Brown, 37, of Magalia,
- Mary Ricca, 59, of Magalia
- Sefo Sipa, 37, of Paradise
- Gavin Dominguez-Feathers, 25, of Magalia
- Joey Kupiheanapeahi, 42, of Magalia
- Breanna Maier, 32, of Magalia
- Michael Barnett, 29, of Magalia
- Matthew Bacon, 44, of Magalia
- Lindsey McLaughlin, 37, of Magalia
- Kayla Goebel, 34, of Magalia
Six other suspects, whose identities were not released, have burglary charges pending against them, DA Mike Ramsey said.
Brown was released from custody on $50,000 bail, while Sipa, Goebel, Bacon and Ricca were released by the court on their own recognizance pending arraignment. The remaining identified suspects remain in custody with a $50,000 bail, the DA’s office said.
