REDLANDS, Calif. — Two juveniles were arrested, and another cited, after a hit-and-run crash Wednesday morning that investigators say is connected to a series of vehicle thefts, attempted break-ins and vandalism across Redlands, police reported.
Redlands police responded around 8 a.m. Dec. 17 to a reported hit-and-run collision at the intersection of San Bernardino Avenue and Mountain View Avenue. The victim told officers he had been rear-ended and that three people fled the suspect vehicle on foot, running north into the river wash.
Officers, assisted by San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies and a sheriff’s helicopter, conducted a search of the area and located three juvenile suspects, police said. The suspects were positively identified by the victim.
Investigators determined the vehicle involved in the crash had been stolen, and the juveniles were identified as suspects in that theft. Police also linked them to a string of crimes discovered several hours earlier during a suspicious-subject call.
During that earlier call, officers located a stolen vehicle in the 400 block of Riverview Drive, an unreported stolen vehicle abandoned near Pomelo Avenue and Oroblanco Way, and multiple attempted vehicle thefts in the 2000 block of Bergamot Street and the 400 block of West Pennsylvania Avenue, police said. Officers also found vehicles with damaged door handles in the 1900 block of Clementine Street and again in the 400 block of Riverview Drive.
All three juveniles are on probation for similar crimes, according to police. Two were taken into custody for probation violations, while the third was cited and released to a parent.
Reports of shots fired under investigation
In a separate incident Monday evening, Dec. 15, police investigated reports of shots heard near Lugonia Avenue and Washington Street. Officers contacted a witness who provided doorbell camera video showing a bicyclist traveling west on Lugonia Avenue. As the cyclist exited the video frame, the sound of multiple gunshots could be heard.
Officers recovered several spent cartridge casings in the 200 block of West Lugonia Avenue. No injuries or property damage were reported, and no victims were located. The investigation is ongoing.
While officers were investigating that call, police arrested a man for public intoxication after he attempted to walk through the active crime scene while intoxicated and argumentative, police said.
Man detained after alleged sex crime, suicide attempt
In another incident Friday afternoon, officers responded to a report of a man who became suicidal after being confronted with allegations that he committed a sex crime involving a minor, police said. The man fled his apartment and ingested several pills in an apparent overdose attempt.
Officers later located the suspect hiding in bushes near the freeway by Sylvan Park. The investigation also uncovered evidence of domestic violence involving another victim. The suspect was transported for psychiatric evaluation, with charges pending for felony domestic violence and sex crimes involving a minor, police said.
Burglary reported at Hillside Memorial Park
Police are also investigating a burglary reported Friday, Dec. 12, at Hillside Memorial Park, where more than $4,000 in lawn equipment was stolen from an office.
