NEVADA CITY – On March 17, 2019 California State Parks rangers and officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) arrested two people suspected of numerous vehicle break-ins at the South Yuba River State Park.  Rangers and officers conducted a traffic stop on a green 1999 Dodge Caravan for expired registration. The vehicle’s registration expired more than 6 months ago. Upon the decision to impound the vehicle, officers and rangers inspected the vehicle for inventory and discovered stolen property, drug paraphernalia, burglary tools, a replica firearm and an official law enforcement uniform.

The two individuals in the vehicle were detained. It was then determined that the Dodge Caravan matched the description of a vehicle associated with a vehicle break-in at the South Yuba River State Park and the detained occupants matched the descriptions of associated individuals.

Rangers and officers suspect the stolen property they discovered was taken during several recent vehicle break-ins at the Independence Trail trailhead parking area, the Hoyt Crossing trailhead parking area, and other locations within the South Yuba River State Park.

Arrested were:

• Arraya Elizabeth Figueroa, for possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, and other pending charges.
• Christian Aaron Davis for possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, providing a false identification to a peace officer, and other pending charges.

Davis also had multiple warrants issued for his arrest and is on active probation.

The stolen property recovered from the Caravan has been linked to as many as five active vehicle break-in investigations, which have taken place within parking areas of the South Yuba River State Park.

“Park-goers deserve a crime free experience when they go to a state park to enjoy a day of outdoor recreation,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona.   “Unfortunately, property crimes, and crimes against people do occur in state parks and there is a tremendous need for more rangers to keep park visitors and their property safe.  If visitors are paying to park, they expect a certain level of security the presence of law enforcement.”