The Chico Police Department and Butte County Probation Department partnered for a theft prevention operation Friday.

The sting operations will focus on subjects who are currently on probation for theft and burglary related crimes, or that are suspected contacts with possible criminals in the downtown region of Chico, according to a press release.

In this operation, the police department used a bait vehicle to catch anyone breaking into the vehicles.

The operation was conducted at night in downtown Chico. It resulted in:

• 6 felony arrests
• 3 firearms recovered
• 2 recovered stolen bikes
• 30g heroin

A similar operation was organized in December 2017 that led to several arrests.

These types of operations are organized based on consistently high levels of crime, which the police department stated have been ongoing in recent months.

Chico Police Chief Michael O’Brien stated, “We will continue these types of operations throughout the coming year, to better protect our community.”

Alejandra Fraga can be reached at [email protected] or @alifragster on Twitter.