Man with Backpack Containing Guns Accused of Burglarizing Redlands Home

A 59-year-old parolee was arrested Sunday on suspicion of residential burglary in Redlands, and police said he had a backpack containing a loaded handgun and other firearms inside.

Two other burglaries were reported Sunday and police were seeking more info on those alleged crimes.

Police were called out just before 6 p.m. March 31 to the 1400 block of East Brockton Avenue, where a witness reported someone suspicious with a backpack going into a neighbor's back yard, Redlands spokesman Carl Baker said.

The people who live at the home where the suspect was spotted were away, Baker said.

Police arrived, set up multiple officers around the home, and detained David Edmond Redmond, of Redlands, as he came out of the back yard, Baker said.

"Officers located Redmond's backpack in the garage with a loaded handgun and several other firearms in it," Baker said. "They also found property from the residence in Redmond's possession."

Redmond was arrested on suspicion of burglary and being a felon in possession of a firearm, Baker said.

He was booked at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, and his bail was $500,000, according to inmate records.

Police were investigating two other burglaries reported Sunday, Baker said. They were not sure as of Monday afternoon whether Redmond was connected to either one.

- A burglary was reported Sunday in the 10 block of Beattie Lane. A suspect or suspects forced entry through a rear door while residents were away. Home electronics, jewelry and cash were reported stolen. The victim's car, parked in the garage, was also ransacked.

- Also on Sunday, police investigated a reported burglary that occurred sometime over the weekend in the 700 block of West Brockton Avenue. Someone forced entry through a rear window while residents were away and stole home electronics, jewelry and cash.

"Investigators have not determined whether the burglaries are related and Redmond has not been connected to either of the burglaries," Baker said.

Redlands police reminded residents they can take steps to make their homes more secure and protect themselves against crime:

• "Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in."
• Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. "Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors."
• "Leave lights on when you go out." If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
• "Keep your garage door closed and locked."
• Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or fliers to build up while you are away. Arrange with the post office to hold mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
• "Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time."
• If you are going away for an extended time, you can arrange with the Redlands Police Department for a vacation house check. Call (909) 798-7681 or visit http://ci.redlands.ca.us/police/coplogic/start-report.html. 

Anyone interested in having an officer come to their residence or business to conduct a site security assessment and provide info on how to improve property safety and security may contact Rick Strobaugh at rstrobaugh@redlandspolice.org.

Anyone with more info on burglaries or other crimes 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.

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