Looting suspects targeted unlocked cars
REDLANDS – Two men, seen looting cars by a resident early Thursday morning, were arrested by police later that day following a short crime spree.
Phillip Aaron Moreno, 20, of Redlands, and Ulisses Celis Arce, 20, of San Bernardino were arrested for residential burglary after stealing from at least six different locations.
Police received reports that the suspects were seen on Hibiscus Street near Palm Avenue shortly after 6 a.m. Jan. 27. Police reported “two men driving slowly through the neighborhood who were looking into cars and trying door handles,” said police spokesman Carl Baker.
Police spotted a car and, after a brief pursuit, pulled a Honda Accord over at Palm and Cajon Street. After inspecting the car, investigators determined that various items had been stolen from unlocked cars both in Redlands and neighboring community Loma Linda.
“The suspects used a garage door (opener) from one unlocked vehicle to open and burglarize a garage in Loma Linda,” Baker said.
He said Redlands police found five victims in the two cities.
“We know of five, and at least one more theft,” Baker added. “It could be more than that, but we’re not sure.”
Some residents awoke on Thursday to discover that various items had been taken from their cars. Police were able to locate the victims and verify property that had been taken by the suspects.
Baker said several cars had been unlocked, which allowed the suspects easy access to miscellaneous items.
The suspects were taken to Central Detention Center in San Bernardino.
Baker said he was unaware if the two men had been part of other burglaries. Due to budget cuts, Redlands police has become more reliant on website crime reporting, including the “See Something, Say Something” campaign. Baker said it was a factor in solving this crime.
