Redlands Police respond to vandalism, DUI crashes and gunfire reports over busy weekend

REDLANDS, Calif. — Redlands police responded to a series of serious incidents last weekend, including reports of gunfire, two DUI-related crashes, a break-in at a student apartment, and vandalism involving hate symbols at a local church.

Vandalism at Church Followed School Board Meeting Participation

Officers were called early Saturday morning, April 12, to The Ark Church of the Nazarene at 1307 E. Citrus Ave., where vandals had spray-painted swastikas on two signs on the property. The graffiti appeared overnight, and police increased patrols during Sunday services.

The vandalism occurred just days after several members of the church spoke during a contentious Redlands Unified School District board meeting. The church has been publicly associated with a group advocating for stricter school policies around parental rights and student identity.

Members of Together for Redlands, a group that has opposed those proposed policies, condemned the vandalism on social media over the weekend. In a statement, the group said they “condemn this act of vandalism and all acts of hatred."

The incident is under investigation.

Reports of Gunfire

Later Saturday April 12, police responded to two separate reports of shots fired.

Multiple callers reported hearing gunshots in the area of East Delaware Avenue around 7 p.m. Saturday. Witnesses told police they saw juveniles running and a vehicle speeding away. Although officers deployed a drone and canvassed the area on foot and by car, no suspects or shell casings were found. About two hours later, a resident discovered a bullet hole in the windshield of his car parked nearby. No injuries were reported.

Around the same time, Redlands officers and a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department helicopter responded to a report of gunfire in a shopping center at Orange Street and San Bernardino Avenue. Officers located and stopped two vehicles leaving the area and contacted the occupants, along with a third vehicle seen nearby. No suspects were located, but five spent casings and one live round were recovered from the parking lot. No victims or property damage were found.

DUI-Related Crashes

DUI-related crashes also kept police busy Saturday night.

A man was arrested for driving under the influence after his vehicle veered into oncoming traffic on Colton Avenue east of Dearborn Street and collided with another car. The impact caused the vehicle to hit a curb and roll over. The driver had to be extricated and declined medical attention. The other driver suffered visible injuries but also declined treatment.

In another DUI case, officers arrested a man early Sunday morning, April 13, after finding him passed out behind the wheel at the entrance of a mobile home park in the 1200 block of East Lugonia Avenue. Officers determined the man was intoxicated. It was his third DUI arrest in three months, police said.

Apartment Break-In

On Friday evening, April 11, Redlands officers arrested a man accused of breaking into a Central Avenue apartment near the University of Redlands. The suspect had entered the home while the residents were out, forced the front door shut with a rope, turned off all electronics, drank from the refrigerator, and took a shower. The residents found the man inside and called campus Public Safety officers, who contacted RPD. The man was taken into custody without incident.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681, ext. 1. Non-emergency reports can also be submitted online at www.cityofredlands.org/report-crime.