Crime & Safety

UPDATED: Suspect in Local Armed Robberies Arrested

Nathaniel Dawson, 45, is suspected of robbing several businesses in the area.

A man suspected of being the armed robber who spread fear among residents in Loma Linda, Redlands and Highland for several weeks was arrested, authorities said Thursday.

Nathaniel Dawson, 45, of Highland, was taken into custody at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Baseline and Victoria avenues in Highland.

Dawson was booked at West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of robbery and attempted murder for shooting a young female Dairy Queen employee.  He is scheduled for arraignment on Friday in San Bernardino Superior Court.

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“We’ve able to link him to at least 10 armed robberies in the area,” said San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops at a Thursday news conference. “The description of this individual as well as his style of operation could possibly be linked to up to 30 robberies all around Southern California which would include the cities of Ontario, Upland, Montclair, Fullerton, Artesia and Tustin.”

At 10:36 a.m. April 12, Sheriff’s investigators said Dawson robbed the Subway Sandwhiches on Redlands Boulevard in Loma Linda at gunpoint. No one was seriously hurt in that case.

Find out what's happening in Redlands-Loma Lindawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But on March 23, a gunman fitting Dawson’s description robbed a Redlands Dairy Queen, on East Redlands Boulevard where he shot a female employee in the leg.

Investigators from several departments from around the region are currently taking turns interviewing Dawson. Police say he is cooperative.

“The citizens of the entire region, not just San Bernardino County but all of Southern California, can sleep a little easier tonight knowing this individual is in custody," Hoops said.

This story will be updated as more information comes in.


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