PARADISE, Calif. — In the early hours of Tuesday, August 19, officers from the Paradise Police Department were alerted to suspicious activity at the former Feather River Hospital, a site they said has become a frequent target for copper thefts and vandalism.
An alert citizen reported hearing the sound of power tools coming from the closed building, prompting law enforcement’s reponse.
As officers arrived, one patrol vehicle’s lights illuminated a man prowling around the building. The suspect, upon realizing he had been spotted, attempted to flee but ran directly into the path of another officer. The attempted escape lasted less than five seconds, described as a “textbook case of bad planning.”
The suspect, identified as Shane Gibson, was detained without further incident. The Paradise Police Department humorously advised residents against prowling around closed hospitals at night, suggesting that those interested in copper should consider plumbing school instead.
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