Major Crimes Unit Arrests Shasta Man in Connection with Stolen Chain-Link Fencing
- Kari Chilson
- May 7
- 1 min read
Redding, CA — The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit (MCU) has arrested a local man after recovering stolen chain-link fence panels valued at more than $1,000 from a Redding residence.
On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, deputies responded to a theft report from a home on Victoria Drive in Redding. The property, which had previously been impacted by the Carr Fire, had chain-link fence panels taken. Initial evidence gathered during the investigation led the case to the Major Crimes Unit for further follow-up.
Detectives identified 38-year-old Hunter Elias Smith of Shasta, California, as the suspect. Smith had already been taken into custody earlier that same day on drug-related charges by the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office AB109/SAFE Team and the Shasta County Interagency Narcotics Task Force (SINTF).
That evening, MCU detectives along with patrol deputies served a search warrant at Smith’s residence in the 15000 block of Miner’s Gulch Road in Shasta. During the search, investigators located the stolen fence panels. Smith was subsequently booked into the Shasta County Jail on an additional charge of Grand Theft under California Penal Code 487(a).
Authorities believe Smith may be linked to numerous other property crimes in Shasta County and neighboring jurisdictions. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with additional information about Smith or related incidents to contact the Major Crimes Unit.
Case #: SCSO26-002269
Contact: Detective Sergeant J. Duncan #212
Phone: (530) 245-6135
The investigation remains ongoing.
