Five Arrested During Redlands Checkpoint

Redlands Police arrested five people on suspicion of driving under the influence at a checkpoint held Friday into Saturday.

Two of those arrested fled from the checkpoint, Redlands Police officials said.

Police also arrested 22-year-old Justin Michael Duke, of Highland, and 21-year-old Christian Michael Guthrie, of Redlands, who approached the checkpoint on motorcycles but then fled, according to a news release by Redlands Police spokesman Carl Baker.

The riders cut through the orange cones and sped off, Baker said. Police pursued the motorcyclists as they ran stop signs and swerved around vehicles into oncoming traffic lanes, Baker said. They finally stopped at the intersection of High and Church streets. They were arrested for evading police and riding without a valid motorcycle license, Baker said.

Neither rider was found to be under the influence, Baker said.

About 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, a blue, four-door Chevrolet fled the checkpoint, Baker said. Officers pursued the car to the intersection of Eureka and Stuart, where the vehicle stopped. The driver, 22-year-old Pablo Balderas, of Fontana, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Thirty minutes later, a blue Dodge van ran the checkpoint. Officers stopped the driver at Colton Boulevard and Third Street. Miguel Isaac Alvarez, 36, of Redlands was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, Baker said.

The checkpoint was setup in the northbound lanes of Orange Street between Stuart and Pearl avenues between 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7 and 3 a.m. Dec. 8.

A sobriety checkpoint is scheduled beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, through 3 a.m. Saturday in the eastbound lanes of Redlands Boulevard, between Sixth and Eighth streets.

Officers will contact drivers passing through the checkpoint and look for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment. Officers will also check drivers for proper licensing and will strive to delay motorists only momentarily, Baker said.