Redding sneaker theft leads to chase, crashes, arrests

May 8, 2020 Trevor Montgomery

REDDING, Calif. — Officials say the theft of a pair of sneakers being sold by a Redding 19-year-old led to a dangerous, high-speed, citizen pursuit that began in south Redding and ended in Anderson Thursday evening, May 7.

Three vehicles, including two driven by the victim and his family, were damaged during the chase after the victims boxed in the alleged suspects, who rammed both vehicles in an attempt to get away.

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Redding police officers responded to an unspecified location in south Redding just after 6 p.m., after receiving reports of a robbery that had just occurred, Redding Police Sgt. Todd Cogle reported after the incident and arrests.

“While headed to the call officers learned that the robbery victim, Anthony Larson, 19, of Redding, and his family were chasing two suspects who were fleeing in a vehicle,” Cogle explained.

Officials say Eureka residents 19-year-old Austin Alexander and a 15-year-old companion stole a pair of sneakers they found for sale online, leading to a dangerous, high-speed chase that traveled from Redding to Anderson last night. RPD photo

As officers were converging on the area they learned the victim and his family members, who were operating two vehicles, were continuing to chase the suspect’s vehicle from Redding toward Anderson.

Based on the circumstances, officers requested assistance from Anderson PD, asking them to be prepared for the citizen pursuit as it neared their city.

“At one point during the chase, the victims managed to box the suspects in, but the suspects rammed both victim vehicles and continued to flee,” said Cogle; who added, “When the suspects reached Anderson, the Anderson Police Department was able to conduct a traffic stop on all of the involved vehicles.”

During their subsequent investigation, officers learned Larson had agreed to meet with 19-year-old, Austin Ryan Alexander, of Eureka, and a 15-year-old juvenile, also from Eureka, after listing a pair of Nike sneakers for sale online.

The trio, along with several of Larson’s family members, met at a south Redding location to conduct the transaction, according to Cogle; who said, “While the suspects were inspecting the shoes, they suddenly jumped into their vehicle and fled … heading southbound on Highway 273 at a high rate of speed.”

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Based on their investigation, officers arrested Alexander and his teenage cohort.

Alexander was later booked into Shasta County Jail on suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Sgt.; who reported the juvenile was later cited and released to a relative.

“Nobody was injured, the stolen sneakers were recovered, and all the involved vehicles suffered only minor damage,” said Cogle.

After last night’s incident, Cogle took the time to remind area residents that Community Meet Up Spots exist at the Redding Police Department that allow for the safe, monitored and recorded exchange of internet-based purchases.

The parking spots are painted green and clearly marked with green signs, and the spaces are covered by video surveillance for additional user safety.

The Community Meet Up Spots can be found on the east side of the Redding Police Department building at 777 Cypress Ave.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or who wants further information about Redding PD’s Community Meet Up Spots is encouraged to contact Redding PD at (530) 225-4200. Callers can refer to incident file number 20R028635 and can remain anonymous.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; 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 29 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 16 grandchildren.