Woman charged with weapons, stolen property crimes



Police have arrested a woman they think was involved in multiple thefts in the Chico area.

Deborah Jean Hughes, 43, Chico, has been charged with several gun and theft crimes.


According to a Chico Police Department news release:
Hughes, who police had been looking for, was spotted on Oct. 4 in a vehicle near W. Third and Oak streets.


While searching the vehicle, police found six firearms that included rifles and shotguns. A records search showed that one firearm was reported stolen. One of the guns was loaded.


Officers also found a small amount of methamphetamine inside the vehicle along with property that had been reported stolen from the Chico area.


At the same time, police also arrested 40-year old Ralph Hughes, Hughes' passenger and husband.
He was charged with cocaine possession.


Both were charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, felon in possession of stolen property and carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle.


The two were taken to Butte County Jail. Bond for Deborah Jean Hughes was set at $318,000 and for Ralph Hughes at $83,000.

--By Noah Enns


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