Redlands Police Report: Armed mail theft, Arson suspect arrested, DUI gun case

REDLANDS, Calif. – Police are investigating a series of crimes reported in Redlands over the past week, including armed mail theft, an arson suspect caught shoplifting, and a fatal traffic collision.

The following incidents were reported in the Redlands Police Department Weekly Update from Jan. 23-30:

Teen robbed near Jack in the Box

A 14-year-old boy was robbed Wednesday afternoon while walking behind the Jack in the Box at 605 E. Redlands Blvd. An unknown man approached from behind, grabbed the boy’s cellphone and necklace, and then challenged him to a fight for his belongings, police said. The teen walked away and reported the incident, prompting a brief lockdown at Redlands High School. The case remains under investigation.

Suspects rob U.S. postal worker

A U.S. Postal Service employee was collecting mail from drive-thru mailboxes at the post office at 1900 W. Redlands Blvd. on Tuesday Jan. 28 when two masked men in a black Mercedes pulled up and began grabbing tubs of mail. When the employee attempted to intervene, one of the suspects placed his hands in his hoodie pocket, implying he had a firearm. No weapon was seen. The suspects fled westbound on Redlands Boulevard with multiple tubs of stolen mail. Police are investigating.

Shoplifting arrest leads to ID of arson suspect

A man suspected of setting a fire in the toy aisle at Barnes & Noble was arrested Sunday after he was caught shoplifting at Famous Footwear in the same shopping center, police said. The suspect allegedly stole a pair of Nike shoes, leaving his old pair behind in a shoebox. He later returned to the store still wearing the stolen shoes, where employees contacted police. Officers found multiple lighters in his possession and noticed his clothing was partially burned. He was arrested for shoplifting, and a Redlands Fire Department arson investigator is conducting a separate investigation into the bookstore fire.

DUI arrest after gun found in vehicle

Officers responded Friday evening to a report of a vehicle stopped in a traffic lane on Cypress Avenue, east of Redlands Boulevard. They found a 32-year-old man slumped over in the driver’s seat with his foot on the brake and the car in gear. After blocking the vehicle with a patrol car, officers woke the driver and saw a handgun on the seat between his legs. The man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and a weapons charge.

Pedestrian killed in traffic collision

A woman was struck and killed early Friday morning on Orange Street at the Santa Ana River wash. Police said she was in the middle of the southbound lane when a vehicle traveling about 50 mph hit her. The driver immediately stopped and called police. Authorities said there was no indication the driver was impaired or violated any traffic laws. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police Seek Public’s Help

Anyone with information regarding these incidents or other criminal activity is asked to contact Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681 ext. 1. Certain non-emergency crimes can be reported online at www.cityofredlands.org/report-crime, and tips may be submitted via the City of Redlands 311 mobile app.