Redlands Police investigate armed threat, robbery involving juveniles and stolen car fire

REDLANDS, Calif. — Police in Redlands responded to a series of crimes last week including a robbery involving a juvenile suspect with a gun, a vehicle fire tied to an earlier car theft, and an armed threat against a tow truck driver attempting to repossess a vehicle.

Robbery Leads to Brief School Lockdowns

Police are investigating a robbery that occurred Monday afternoon, May 19, near Orange Street between San Bernardino and Delaware avenues. The victims had arranged to meet with a buyer to sell a cell phone. After handing the phone to the prospective buyer—described as a juvenile—the suspect fled with the device.

While the victims were on the phone with police, they were approached again by two more individuals. One of them, also believed to be a juvenile, lifted his shirt to display a handgun tucked into his waistband. The two suspects fled through a nearby apartment complex as officers arrived.

Clement Middle School, Lugonia Elementary, and Redlands Unified School District’s administrative offices were placed on brief lockdowns during the search. No arrests have been made.

Armed Threat During Repossession Attempt

A tow truck driver was threatened with a handgun late Monday night, May 19, while attempting to repossess a vehicle in the 1100 block of Orange Street. The suspect exited an apartment and pointed a gun at the driver, who backed away and called 911. The incident remains under investigation.

Stolen Vehicles Recovered, One Found Burning

Police arrested a man on Wednesday, May 21, after locating a stolen U-Haul van during a traffic stop in the 1300 block of Campus Avenue. The van had been rented earlier in the month and never returned. The driver, who was also in possession of shaved keys often used to steal vehicles, was arrested on multiple charges.

In a separate case, Redlands police and firefighters responded to a car fire early Saturday morning, May 17, at Riverview and Kingsbury drives. A witness reported seeing four juveniles in dark clothing running from the scene as flames engulfed the engine compartment.

The vehicle, a 2014 Kia Rio, had been reported stolen three days earlier from the 1600 block of Clay Street. The fire was extinguished before it consumed the entire car. The case is under investigation.

DUI Arrest, Hit-and-Run with Stolen Vehicle

Late Monday night, May 19, a man was arrested for DUI after being pulled over for speeding on Pennsylvania Avenue near Orange Street.

Police are also investigating a head-on crash that occurred early Sunday morning, May 18, at Lugonia Avenue and Dearborn Street. The driver of a Ford Explorer Sport Trac crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a Hyundai Sonata. A witness said the Explorer’s driver fled the scene by switching cars—jumping into a waiting Jeep Cherokee that sped away.

The driver of the Sonata was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The registered owner of the Explorer later told police the vehicle had been stolen earlier that night, but he had not reported it. The incident is under investigation.

Redlands K9 Team Assists in Terror Bombing Investigation

Officer Mazi Shahabi and K9 Officer Jake assisted Palm Springs police on Saturday, May 17, in the investigation of a bombing at a fertility clinic. No further details were released by Redlands police.

Redlands police ask anyone with information about these incidents to contact dispatch at (909) 798-7681, ext. 1. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online at www.cityofredlands.org/report-crime or through the City of Redlands 311 mobile app.