Tens of thousands in stolen vehicles and property recovered in Anderson

Redding PD announced today the arrest of an Anderson man they allege stole a trailer packed with tens of thousands of dollars worth of adventure gear from a Redding business Tuesday, Nov. 13. When officers tracked the man down at his residence he was also found to be in possession of a truck stolen from the Redding area last month.

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Redding Police officers began investigating the thefts last Tuesday around 9:30 a.m., after receiving reports that an enclosed trailer was stolen from Headwaters Adventure Company on the 900 block of Merchant Street.

Roy Croft, 40, of Anderson, was arrested after he was found in possession of a stolen truck, trailer, and $30,000 worth of adventure gear. RPD photo

Investigating officers learned an unknown suspect had stolen the business’s enclosed trailer sometime during the night, according to Redding PD Sgt. Danny Smetak, who said the trailer contained approximately $30,000 worth of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, paddles, and other outdoor gear. Officers searched the immediate area but were unable to locate the trailer.

As the investigation continued, Redding PD’s Neighborhood Police Unit and Investigations Division were called in to assist and officers quickly obtained information that the stolen trailer was possibly at a private residence in the 5300 block of Doberman Lane in Anderson.

With assistance from a CHP helicopter, NPU and Investigators responded to the Anderson residence and immediately spotted a large enclosed trailer that appeared to have recently been painted hitched to a truck.

Officers also found Roy Croft, 40, of Anderson, sitting inside the truck and detained him without incident.

“Officers were able to confirm that the freshly painted trailer belonged to Headwaters Adventure Company and all of their outdoor gear was still secured inside,” Smetak explained.

As the investigation continued, officers discovered that the truck Croft was sitting in had also been reported stolen from Redding on Oct. 22.

“While at the scene, officers interviewed Croft who admitted to stealing the Headwaters Adventure Company’s trailer,” said Smetak. “He also admitted to painting the trailer in an attempt to disguise it from law enforcement.”

Based on their investigation, officers arrested Croft and he was booked into Shasta County Jail on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, grant theft, and vandalism.

Anyone with information about this ongoing investigation is encouraged to contact Redding Police Sgt. Danny Smetak at (530) 225-4200.Callers can refer to incident file number 18R081268 and can remain anonymous.

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Roy Croft, 40, of Anderson, was arrested after he was found in possession of a stolen truck, trailer, and $30,000 worth of adventure gear. RPD photo

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Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta 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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.