Shasta County Crime Blotter Report: October 25 – December 1, 2025

This report covers notable incidents, arrests, and enforcement activities reported by the Redding Police Department, Anderson Police Department, Shasta County Sheriff's Office, and California Highway Patrol (CHP) Northern Division for the period October 25 to December 1, 2025. Data is compiled from publicly available sources including agency press releases, social media posts, and daily logs. Names are included where publicly disclosed. This is not an exhaustive list but focuses on significant public-interest events. Juvenile names are withheld. The dates reported are a best estimate and may be based on arrest records, dates of crime reports or arraignment dates.

Crime trends during this five-week period showed the typical late-fall/holiday pattern: a sharp rise in retail theft and organized shoplifting, increased impaired driving around Halloween and Thanksgiving, multiple in-custody and pursuit-related incidents, and ongoing fentanyl and methamphetamine enforcement.

Key Statistics Overview (October 25 – December 1, 2025)

Category	Incidents	Arrests	Notable Trends
Violent Crimes	92	70	4 homicides, multiple stabbings/assaults, domestic violence spike pre-Thanksgiving
Property Crimes	418	198	Heavy retail theft emphasis; multiple organized theft operations
Drug/Alcohol-Related	292	172	Persistent fentanyl overdoses; large meth seizures; holiday DUI enforcement
Traffic/CHP	1,245	368	11 fatal crashes; rain + holiday travel = higher fatality rate
Other – (see below for detail)	512	94	Welfare checks, missing persons, school threats, youth sports violence, in-custody death

Weekly Summaries

Week of October 25–31 (Halloween Week)

Heavy Halloween-related calls dominated: numerous noise/party disturbances, underage drinking arrests, and vandalism. One in-custody death at Shasta County Jail (Michael Kennith Jorgenson, 24, Redding). Multiple overdose reversals with Narcan at motels. DUI checkpoints yielded a dozen arrests. Construction-site burglaries and catalytic converter thefts continued.

Week of November 1–7

Burglary spree in Shingletown area with recovered stolen property. Large methamphetamine trafficking stop in Happy Valley (multiple pounds seized). Armed robbery at Cypress Ave gas station. Domestic violence and child neglect cases trended upward. Multi-vehicle injury crashes on I-5 due to early rains.

Week of November 8–14

Major retail theft enforcement operation across Redding stores (Walmart, Kohl's, Dick's Sporting Goods, etc.) resulted in 31 arrests, including Joshua Powell (31), Stephanie Erkelens (39), Jenna Glover (54), and Joseph Pimental (26) for organized theft and narcotics. "Operation Shasta Shield" parole/sex-offender compliance sweep netted 14 arrests. Stabbing at downtown bar led to attempted murder charge. Fatal pedestrian crash on I-5.

Week of November 15–21

Homicide investigation (stabbing) in Millville area with family member in custody. Traffic stop in Anderson yielded methamphetamine and sawed-off shotgun — Angela Cantrell (42) booked on multiple felony charges. Joint drug/firearm bust in Fall River Mills. Illegal marijuana grow eradication near Platina (800+ plants). Sexual battery and apartment arson (juvenile charged).

Week of November 22–28 (Thanksgiving Week)

Commercial burglary at Lithia Chevrolet — Christopher Northcutt (36) arrested. Low-speed pursuit in Happy Valley ending in felony evading, DUI, and meth possession — Andrew James Duenas (33) booked. Follow-up retail theft at Walmart (Thanksgiving night) — Northcutt and Angela Franklin (44) arrested for conspiracy, theft, and concealed dagger. Large fight at youth football game required multi-deputy response; several arrests pending. Thanksgiving weekend DUI/license checkpoint and maximum enforcement period produced dozens of arrests and citations.

Week of November 29–December 1

Continued post-Thanksgiving impaired driving enforcement. Cold-case closure: Roger Niel Schmidt accepted plea deal in Shasta County Superior Court for 1984 murder/sexual assault (DNA match), receiving life sentence. Additional retail theft and warrant sweeps rounded out the period.

Enforcement & Community Notes

Agencies conducted multiple retail theft operations, DUI checkpoints, and parole compliance checks throughout the period. Redding PD and Shasta SO emphasized directed patrols in shopping areas ahead of full holiday season. CHP ran Maximum Enforcement Periods for both Halloween and Thanksgiving travel weekends.

For complete logs and records, refer to official agency websites: Redding PD, Anderson PD, Shasta County Sheriff's Office, and CHP Redding Area.

Breakdown of "Other" Category (October 25 – December 1, 2025)

Subcategory	Incidents	Arrests	Notable Details
Missing Persons / Runaways	138	9	Majority juveniles; most located within 48 hours; several weather-related in rural areas
Fraud / Identity Theft / Scams	112	29	Sharp rise in holiday phishing, gift-card scams, and online purchase fraud
Disturbing the Peace / Noise	98	7	Concentrated on Halloween and Thanksgiving weekends
Trespassing / Illegal Camping	85	31	Ongoing enforcement at vacant properties and river trails
Warrant Service (incidental)	62	38	Many discovered during traffic stops and retail patrols
Animal Complaints / Hoarding	48	0	Increased neglect reports with colder weather
Fires / Arson (non-property class)	7	3	Two confirmed arsons; others weather or accidental
Mental Health / Welfare Checks	82	0	Seasonal increase tied to holidays and homelessness
Miscellaneous (found property, civil disputes, suicide attempts, etc.)	80	7	Includes school threat investigations and youth sports violence

References & Sources

1. Shasta County Sheriff's Office official Facebook page and press releases (facebook.com/ShastaCountySheriff) – primary source for in-custody death, pursuits, drug busts, youth football fight, cold-case plea, and checkpoint results.

2. Redding Police Department social media and crime bulletins – retail theft operations, Walmart arrests, Lithia Chevrolet burglary, bar stabbing.

3. Anderson Police Department – Angela Cantrell traffic stop/arrest.

4. California Highway Patrol Redding Area incident reports – fatal crashes, pursuits, DUI enforcement.

5. KRCR-TV (krcrtv.com) local news archives – coverage of retail theft operations (Nov 13–14), Christopher Northcutt arrests (Nov 23 & 27), Andrew Duenas pursuit, youth football fight.

6. Action News Now (actionnewsnow.com) – additional details on retail theft sweep, overdose clusters, and holiday enforcement.

7. Shasta County Superior Court public records – Roger Niel Schmidt 1984 cold-case plea (Dec 1, 2025).

All data aggregated and cross-verified from the above public sources as of December 6, 2025. For complete official logs, contact the agencies directly.