REDDING: Man robbed at gunpoint, knocked unconscious, during attempted drug purchase

REDDING — Sheriff’s officials are investigating a drug-related armed robbery after a Cottonwood resident was robbed while trying to buy a large amount of marijuana from two men. The robbery happened at the TA Truck Stop and Travel Center in the 19000 block of Knighton Road, between Pacheco/Churn Creek Roads and Interstate 5, in Redding.

The victim, identified as 20-year-old, Cody Shane Wallace, was robbed of all his cash at gunpoint, after being knocked unconscious by one of the two alleged suspects involved in the robbery.

SEE RELATED: UPDATE #3: REDDING: Officials ID three arrested in connection with early morning homicide – Homicide related to previous day’s armed robbery of Cottonwood man during attempted drug transaction, say officials.

Deputies from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the robbery, which one official from the scene called, a “drug deal gone bad,” about 7 p.m., after Wallace called from a home in Anderson to report the incident.

Wallace told deputies investigating the robbery that he had made arrangements to buy one-half ounce of marijuana for $300 from a man who was one of at least two who later robbed him.

After coming to an agreement, Wallace and his girlfriend, Kaylee Corrine Potter, went to the truck stop to complete the transaction and purchase the marijuana.

Wallace told officials he and Potter had gone to the truck stop about 5 p.m., where they met with the man who had agreed to sell him the marijuana in the truck stop’s parking lot. Wallace told deputies a second suspect had arrived with the man who had agreed to sell him the marijuana.

As Wallace was counting out $300 from his wallet, one of the suspects pulled out a black, semi-automatic handgun, pointed it in Wallace’s face and demanded all the victim’s cash.

When Wallace hesitated, refusing to give his money to the gun-brandishing suspect, the other man punched Wallace in the side of his head, causing him to lose consciousness.

As the two suspects were grabbing all of Wallace’s cash,

Potter, who witnessed the entire incident, managed to pull her boyfriend to the safety of their vehicle, while the two men fled the area in a white, unknown make or model, four-door sedan with a black spoiler.

After being robbed and knocked unconscious, Wallace managed to drive to Potter’s residence in Anderson, where the couple waited about two hours before reporting the robbery.

They reportedly told officials they had hesitated to report the robbery out of fear of the two suspects as well as fearing they could face possible charges for the attempted marijuana purchase.

Sheriff’s officials described the first suspect as a Black male with black hair, about 19-years-old, 6’1″, about 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and tan pants.

The second suspect was described as a Black male with black dreadlocks, about 18-years-old, 6′ tall and about 165 pounds.

According to sheriff’s officials, the two suspects are being sought for armed robbery, battery resulting in serious bodily injury and making criminal threats.

“Both suspects should be considered armed and dangerous,” said officials.

Anyone with information about this investigation or who knows the current whereabouts of the two men is urged not to approach or make contact with either of the two suspects and to immediately contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 245-6540.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.