Arrest at Mt Shasta Mall in Redding: Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested After Struggle with Security
REDDING, CA — “On February 28, 2026, at approximately 4:48 PM, Redding Police Officers responded to a reported robbery in progress at JCPenney, located in the Mt. Shasta Mall at 950 Dana Drive. Callers reported that a man suspected of stealing merchandise was attempting to flee through an emergency exit and was actively struggling with mall security.
Officers arrived and were directed by store staff to a warehouse area separate from the retail floor, where mall security had detained the suspect in handcuffs. The suspect was identified as Ivan Martinez‑Chavarin, 34, of Madera County.
Martinez‑Chavarin was wearing a black sling‑style bag across his chest. Inside the bag, officers found a loaded revolver containing five rounds of .45‑caliber ammunition, additional ammunition, pliers commonly used in theft‑related offenses, and a face covering. The firearm was safely removed and secured. Despite being armed at the time of the incident, there were no reports that Martinez‑Chavarin used or brandished the revolver during the attempted theft.
Store asset protection personnel reported that Martinez‑Chavarin had filled a shopping cart with merchandise valued at over $700 before attempting to exit through a staff‑only warehouse area. When confronted by security, he attempted to push past them and flee, resulting in a physical struggle during which he was restrained.
A records check revealed that Martinez‑Chavarin had an active felony warrant out of Madera County for felony domestic battery and is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Martinez‑Chavarin was booked on multiple charges, including Robbery, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Possession of Burglary Tools, and the outstanding felony warrant. Robbery, in the State of California, is the theft of personal property from another accomplished by means of force or fear. Martinez‑Chavarin was booked on a robbery charge because he used physical force to push past store security while attempting to flee with stolen merchandise.
The Redding Police Department remains committed to protecting businesses, employees, and community members by proactively responding to theft‑related crimes and removing illegally possessed firearms from our streets.”
