Arrests in Redlands, Mentone: Residents Accused of Stealing Wire from City Light Poles

A man and woman were arrested  last week and accused of stealing copper wire from city light poles, a Redlands spokesman said Tuesday.

About 5:30 a.m. Monday May 27, an off-duty Redlands police officer spotted a man trying to strip wire from a city light pole near Reservoir Road and Ford Street, downhill from East Sunset and just north of the 10 Freeway, according to city spokesman Carl Baker.

On-duty police responded and stopped Eva Marie Montenegro, 32, who was driving a 1995 Toyota Camry, Baker said.

"Police located copper wire stripped from the poles in the vehicle," Baker said. "Montenegro was arrested for vandalism and possession of stolen property as well as possession of narcotics."

Police identified Jonathon Steven Ingle, 31, of Redlands, as allegedly committing crimes with Montenegro and issued an arrest warrant, Baker said.

They found Ingle in a travel trailer in the 2100 block of Nice Avenue in Mentone on Friday May 31, and arrested him on suspicion of grand theft, possession of stolen property and vandalism, Baker said.

Montenegro remained in custody Tuesday night at Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center in Devore. Her bail was $150,000, according to inmate records.

Ingle was also in custody Tuesday night at Central Detention Center in San Bernardino. His bail was $150,000.

In a separate case, Baker said police arrested Ryan Cole Henderson, 34, of Mentone, after a resident witnessed Henderson stealing brass sprinkler heads in the area of 10 Georgia Street. Responding officers located Henderson a short distance away with the sprinkler heads.

Baker did not say when Henderson was arrested and his name did not appear Tuesday night in county booking records or out-of-custody records dating to May 28.

"The theft of recyclable metals, including wire from street lights, sprinkler heads, backflow devices and other items, is an ongoing issue for law enforcement in many communities, including Redlands," Baker said.

Anyone with info on suspicious activity was urged to call Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681. Anonymous tipsters can text 274637 using the keyword "REDTIP." Some non-emergency crimes can be reported online at http://ci.redlands.ca.us/police/coplogic/start-report.html.