Butte County: Two Arrested on Weapons Charges after Cache of Firearms Found at Residence
Originally published by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office:
On Friday, November 10, 2023, at approximately 2:00 p.m., BCSO Deputy Buchwalter was on patrol in the area of Table Mountain Blvd. and Grand Avenue when he conducted a traffic enforcement stop on a vehicle being driven by Richie Gramps, age 56 of Palermo. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, Deputy Buchwalter located two 12-gauge shotgun shells. Gramps was arrested for being a prohibited person in possession of ammunition.
During the investigation, Deputy Buchwalter located evidence that gave him cause to believe a shotgun was being stored at a residence located on Railroad Avenue, Palermo. Based on prior observations, Deputy Buchwalter knew Gramps was associated with the Railroad Avenue residence.
Deputy Buchwalter authored a search warrant for the Railroad Avenue residence. During the service of the search warrant, deputies located approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition and approximately 40 firearms. Deputies confirmed approximately four of the firearms were stolen.
During the service of the search warrant, deputies contacted Thomas Navarro, age 57. At the conclusion of the investigation, Gramps and Navarro were arrested for multiple charges to include being prohibited persons in possession of firearms and ammunition, and possession of stolen property.
