Oroville Man Charged for Allegedly Bypassing Meter to Steal Electricity, Causing Structure Fire
BUTTE COUNTY, CA — “Timmy Ray Woods Sr., age 61, of Oroville, has been charged by the Butte County District Attorney for his involvement in a fire caused by bypassing a utility meter to steal electricity.
Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said that on June 28, 2026, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Cal Fire engines were dispatched to a residential fire on Greenbrier Drive in the Kelly Ridge area. The fire destroyed the residence and spread to other properties, destroying another nearby residence and heavily damaging a third residence and several cars.
As the fire cooled, Cal Fire arson investigators took over the case and, through an extensive forensic investigation, determined that the fire started at or near a large electrical junction box located immediately adjacent to a clothes dryer at the Greenbrier address. The overcurrent protection device (circuit breaker) was missing from the circuit that powered a large-gauge wire and the junction box at its terminus.
Responding firefighters also located the remains of two adult dogs and four puppies at the address. It appeared they had been locked inside the residence before the fire. Neighbors said Woods was squatting at the Greenbrier address for several months as the owner had passed away. The Greenbrier residence was equipped with a smart meter that allowed remote monitoring from a PG&E office and enabled the power to be remotely shut off.
Cal Fire investigators found that PG&E remotely disconnected the residence’s electrical service in March 2026 for substantial nonpayment. PG&E records showed the smart meter transmitted a final signal on March 27, 2026, indicating the meter had been completely removed. PG&E informed investigators that bypassing a meter will inevitably lead to catastrophic failure of the electrical system.
Ramsey said that because evidence showed Woods had bootlegged the power that caused the fire at the Greenbrier residence, which spread to surrounding property and residences, Woods was charged with several counts of felony arson and cruelty to an animal. The District Attorney’s Office is investigating and pursuing an additional charge of theft of utilities against Woods.
Woods was arraigned in the Butte County Superior Court last week, where a judge set his bail at $500,000. He remains in Butte County Jail and will next appear in court on August 20, 2026, for entry of plea.”
