Full Notification

On July 23, 2017, at about 11:36 AM Officers with the Anderson Police Department located a reported stolen vehicle in the parking lot of the Anderson Meadows Apartments, located in the 2500 block of Highway 273.

The driver of the vehicle, Raven Withey, age 22, of Whitmore, was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle. Withey had just been arrested the day before for possession of a stolen vehicle that was stolen from the same apartment complex.

While processing the vehicle Withey received a phone call from Benjamin Travis Wallace, age 27, of Anderson. Officers processing the vehicle were familiar with Wallace and knew him to have two active felony warrants for his arrest, one of which was for vehicle theft. Wallace had also fled from law enforcement on foot the day before from a stolen vehicle and was not located.

An officer answered the phone and asked Wallace where he was. Wallace told the officer his location, never questioning who he was actually speaking too.

Officers responded to Wallace’s residence in the 1500 block of Spruce St. This address was also listed as Wallace’s residence on his warrants, and on his Shasta County Jail record.

Upon arrival at the residence Wallace observed officers approaching and closed the front door, locking it behind him. Officers surrounded the apartment and gave Wallace multiple opportunities to surrender himself. Wallace failed to comply with officers ordered and remained in the residence.

Officers kicked in the front door of the apartment and made announcements that if Wallace did not surrender K-9 Aero would be sent in to apprehend him.

Previously being apprehended by K-9 Aero in January of 2017, and not wanting to be bitten again, Wallace announced his presence and surrendered. Wallace was found hiding in the apartment of the bathroom with his girlfriend, Dena Hammond, age 26, of Anderson. Hammond was found to have four warrants of her own for theft related charges.

When asked why he did not initially surrender Wallace told officers he didn’t think they would really kick in the door. Wallace was told that if the same set of circumstances occur in the future, that it would be best if he surrendered, as the door would be kicked in again.

All three subjects were placed under arrest, transported, and booked into the Shasta County Jail.