Update 4:28 p.m. A home invasion robbery suspect who prompted a massive search in Redlands and the temporary lockdown of Kimberly Elementary on Monday has been identified as a 26-year-old Beaumont man.
Travis Michael Barden was allegedly hiding under ivy in a yard in the 1400 block of Elizabeth Street when he was arrested at 12:11 p.m. Nov. 26, according to inmate records and Redlands police.
The manhunt began early Monday when police received a report of a home invasion robbery in the 500 block of West Crescent Avenue just after 2 a.m., Redlands police spokesman Carl Baker said in a statement.
"The residents of the home were awakened by noises in the house and when they investigated they were confronted by an armed man," Baker said. "The robber left through a back door with personal electronics and miscellaneous jewelry stolen from the residence."
About five hours later, someone who lives on Knoll Road reported a suspicious person in their yard matching the description of the robber, Baker said.
"The man was gone when police arrived but police located property stolen during the earlier robbery," Baker said.
Police closed off the area and began a yard-to-yard search with the assistance of a San Bernardino County sheriff's helicopter crew, a trained bloodhound and a K9 officer from the Murrieta Police Department, Baker said.
"The robber was considered armed and dangerous and as a precaution, nearby Kimberly Elementary School was locked down for nearly three hours from about 7:45 a.m. until shortly after 10:30 a.m.," Baker said.
While officers and detectives searched the neighborhood, a resident on Elizabeth Street noticed her dog barking and growling near some shrubbery outside her home, and she called police, Baker said.
"Police searched the area and located the suspect hiding under several feet of ivy," Baker said. "Additional property from the robbery was located on his person."
Barden was arrested on suspicion of home invasion robbery, kidnapping and burglary, Baker said. He was transported to Central Detention Center in San Bernardino, where he was held Monday evening in lieu of $1 million bail.
Anyone with more info was urged to contact Detective Frank Rocha at (909) 798-7580 or Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681. Anonymous tips can be provided by texting 274637 using the keyword "REDTIP."
Update 2:58 p.m. A suspect was in custody on suspicion of home invasion robbery in Redlands, a city spokesman announced just before 3 p.m. Monday.
A reported residential robbery Monday morning in the 500 block of West Crescent Avenue and a suspect at large prompted a temporary lockdown at Kimberly Elementary.
Update 11:18 a.m. The suspect in a reported residential robbery on West Crescent Avenue was described as a white male in his 20s, about 5 feet 6 inches tall with short brown hair, a police spokesman said.
The suspect may be wearing a dark sweatshirt and carrying a backpack. Anyone with more info was urged to contact Redlands police dispatch at (909) 798-7681.
Update 10:58 a.m. A temporary lockdown at Kimberly Elementary School in Redlands was lifted, a police spokesman said before 11 a.m. Monday.
There was no immediate word on whether a suspect in a residential robbery on West Crescent Avenue was in custody or remained at large.
Update 10:48 a.m. The home invasion robbery that prompted a lockdown at Kimberly Elementary in Redlands occurred Monday morning in the 500 block of West Crescent Avenue, according to Redlands police.
There were reports of a suspicious subject in the area of Knoll Road, Crescent, and Fountain Avenue, and Kimberly Elementary was placed on lockdown as a precaution, according to Redlands police.
Anyone with more info was urged to contact Redlands police dispatch at (909) 798-7681.
Posted 9:48 a.m. Kimberly Elementary School was placed on lockdown this morning while Redlands Police officials searched the nearby neighborhood.
Police are searching for a person involved in a reported home invasion robbery, said Carl Baker, public information officer for Redlands Police.
The school is at 301 West South Ave. There have been no reported problems at the school. The police activity is outside of the campus, Baker said.
This story will be updated as more details become available.
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