News headline from the Redlands Police Department:

Redlands Police are warning vehicle owners to take some simple precautions to protect their property from theft after making several arrests in recent weeks in separate vehicle burglaries.

On August 12th, police arrested two men after they stole a laptop computer from a vehicle in the parking lot of the Krikorian Theater at 340 North Eureka St.  The theft was reported shortly after it occurred at about 2:15 p.m.  Police located the suspects on the railroad tracks between Texas and Eureka streets a short distance from the theater.

One suspect, Mark James Shelly, 49, of Redlands, was arrested without incident.  The second suspect, Rogelio Roger Moran, 39, also of Redlands, fled and was arrested after he was found hiding under a bush.  Both men were arrested for theft, conspiracy and resisting arrest.  Moran was also charged as a member of a criminal street gang.

On August 13th, officers arrested Oscar Weldon Overstreet II, 47, of San Bernardino, at about 1:00 a.m. after police witnessed him take property from an unlocked vehicle near Pharaoh’s Lost Kingdom at 1101 California Street.

On August 20th, officers arrested David Duane Banchetto, 38, of Highland, after a reported vehicle break-in at the parking structure on Citrus Avenue and Fifth Street.  Banchetto was stopped at Cajon Street and Olive Avenue after a surveillance camera operator in the Police Dispatch Center spotted his vehicle leaving the parking structure following the break-in.

In July, the Redlands Police Department received 37 reports of vehicle burglaries and 53 reports of thefts from unlocked vehicles. Between January 1st and August 1st, there were 300 reports of vehicle burglaries and 444 thefts from unlocked vehicles.

Redlands Police have deployed different tactics in order catch suspects in the act.  These recent arrests have highlighted those efforts.
Vehicle burglaries are crimes of opportunity and there are many steps vehicle owners can take to protect themselves.  Even if a vehicle is locked, it takes less than five seconds to break a window and remove property.  Purses, computers and electronic devices account for most property losses from vehicles.  Burglars are looking for unlocked vehicles and items left in plain sight.

Anyone with information about vehicle burglaries or other crimes or suspicious activity is asked to contact Redlands Police at 909-798-7681.  Anonymous tips can be provided by texting 274637 using the keyword “REDTIP.”

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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

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