Man Receives Two Years Probation for Assaulting Pedestrian

OROVILLE — A man from Chico, Daniel Mason Clark, was sentenced to two years probation on Wednesday after being convicted of assault charges. In April, Clark hit a pedestrian with his pickup truck near Lassen Avenue and the Esplanade, causing injuries to the victim’s foot. Clark then proceeded to chase the pedestrian with a chain and rocks before being apprehended by Chico police officers.

The Butte County District Attorney, Mike Ramsey, described the assault as “bizarre” in a press release. According to Ramsey, Clark claimed that he was seeking revenge on the victim for an alleged incident at a recent party. However, the victim informed officers that he had never met Clark before.

During the sentencing, Clark’s defense attorney argued that his client had been struggling with mental health issues and addiction, which had contributed to a decline in his mental condition. Clark had reportedly sought help from local emergency services in the hopes of receiving a psychiatric evaluation.

Due to Clark’s lack of prior criminal charges, he was given a two-year probation sentence and agreed to waive his custody credits. If he violates the terms of his probation, he could face up to four years of imprisonment. Additionally, Clark’s driving privileges have been indefinitely revoked.

Man Receives 10-Year Jail Sentence for Card Skimming

Alexandru Bambaloi, a 30-year-old resident of Vallejo, has been sentenced to 10 years in jail after being convicted of 43 felony charges related to stealing from nearly 4,400 individuals. Bambaloi was found guilty of using a skimmer device to obtain ATM card numbers at the Chico Walmart.

The investigation into Bambaloi began in 2022 after a skimmer was discovered at the Walmart ATM. Working from security footage, authorities identified two individuals involved in using the skimming devices at various Walmart stores in Northern California and the Bay Area. Bambaloi was one of the individuals, and the other was Robert Miclescu, a 23-year-old resident of Vallejo.

During the investigation, detectives uncovered $13,000 in cash hidden in a shed, along with two gift cards that had been altered to resemble stolen debit cards. Miclescu pleaded guilty to the charges and received a sentence of five years in jail, along with 11 years of probation.

Judge Kristen Lucena presided over the case and deemed the crime deserving of a substantial sentence. As a result, Bambaloi was given a 20-year sentence, with half of it being served in jail. The press release noted that many of Bambaloi’s victims relied on state benefits.

According to Ramsey, incidents of card skimming have been on the rise, with organized groups often involved. These factors pose additional challenges for investigations and prosecution.

Police Chase Results in DUI Arrest

A sergeant from the Chico Police Department witnessed a motorcyclist without a helmet while driving on the Esplanade around 2 p.m. on Thursday. The motorcyclist, identified as Timothy Johnson, 33, allegedly refused to stop and attempted to evade the pursuing patrol vehicle, heading northbound through the Esplanade and Eaton Road intersection.

After attempting to drive into the Mud Creek levee, Johnson abandoned the motorcycle and fled on foot. He was eventually apprehended and arrested on charges of reckless evasion, driving under the influence, and other code violations.

Warning: Possible Impersonation Scam

Butte County Public Health’s Animal Control Program has issued a warning to residents regarding a potential impersonation scam. Earlier this week, items such as animal control forms were stolen from county vehicles, which could be used by individuals pretending to work for the Animal Control Program.

Residents living in unincorporated Butte County are urged to remain vigilant. If approached by someone claiming to be an Animal Control Officer, it is essential to ask for their Butte County Animal Control personnel ID badge. If anyone suspects they have encountered an impersonator, they should report the incident by calling 552-3888.