Bank Robber Who Targeted Redlands Bank is Arrested

Redlands Police arrested a Highland man Friday in connection with a May 10 robbery of a Chase Bank branch in Redlands.

William Mark Hope, 46, of Highland, was arrested at 8 p.m. at a Highland motel.

Hope is also a suspect in the May 3 robbery of a Chase Bank branch in Upland.

Investigators said about 5:30 p.m. Hope walked into the Chase Bank branch at 4 W. Redlands Blvd., handed the teller a note that demanded money, police officials said. The note indicated he had a gun though no gun was seen, officials said.

Hope then made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, police said.

Investigators said were able to indentify Hope through forensic evidence left at the scene of the robbery. He was tracked to the Knights Inn Motel, in the 26000 block of East Highland Avenue where detectives, narcotics officers and members of the department’s Multiple Enforcement Team set up surveillance. He was spotted and arrested, officials said.

Police found more of the evidence in the motel room, officials said. The cash from the robbery was not recovered.

Hope is suspected of robbery and parole violation.

Police ask anyone with information on the robberies or the missing money to call Detective Andy Capps at (909) 798-7642 or Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681. Anonymous tips can be submitted by texting 274637 using the keyword “REDTIP.”