Redlands PD Warns of Auto Burglaries

Four men were arrested in connection with three separate vehicle burglaries in Redlands between Aug. 12 and Aug. 20, a city spokesman said Wednesday.

A rash of break-ins in July and more in August led police to the suspects, and police are warning vehicle owners to take precautions to protect their property.

On Monday Aug. 20, a vehicle break-in occurred in the parking structure on Citrus Avenue and Fifth Street, and a surveillance camera operator in the Police Dispatch Center spotted a man in a vehicle leaving the location, Redlands spokesman Carl Baker said.

Police stopped David Duane Banchetto, 38, of Highland, and arrested him, Baker said.

On Monday Aug. 13, police witnessed a man take property from an unlocked vehicle near Pharaoh's Lost Kingdom at 1101 California St. They arrested Oscar Weldon Overstreet II, 47, of San Bernardino, Baker said.

On Sunday Aug. 12, two men allegedly stole a laptop computer from a vehicle in the parking lot of the Krikorian Theater at 340 N. Eureka St., Baker said. The theft was reported shortly after it occurred, at about 2:15 p.m.

Police located the suspects on the railroad tracks between Texas and Eureka streets, Baker said. One suspect, 49-year-old Mark James Shelly, of Redlands, was taken into custody without incident.

The second suspect, 39-year-old Rogelio Roger Moran, also of Redlands, ran and he was found hiding under a bush, Baker said. Both men were arrested on suspicion of theft, conspiracy, and resisting arrest.

Moran was also charged as a member of a criminal street gang, Baker said.

"In July, the Redlands Police Department received 37 reports of vehicle burglaries and 53 reports of thefts from unlocked vehicles," Baker said. "Between Jan. 1 and Aug. 1 there were 300 reports of vehicle burglaries and 444 thefts from unlocked vehicles."

Redlands police have used varied tactics to catch suspects in the act, and "recent arrests have highlighted those efforts," Baker said.

Redlands police offered steps vehicle owners can take to prevent theft:

• Always lock your vehicle and close windows
• Don’t leave anything visible on seats
• Don’t leave valuables such as purses, computers, cell phones or other electronic devices in your vehicle, even for a minute
• Park in a secure garage or well-lit area
• Install an anti-theft device
• Install an audible alarm
• Log serial numbers
• Always report suspicious activity

Anyone with more information about vehicle burglaries or other crimes or suspicious activity was urged to call Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681. Anonymous tips can be provided by texting 274637 using the keyword "REDTIP."

Some non-emergency crimes can be reported online using the Redlands Police Department's CopLogic system at ci.redlands.ca.us/police/coplogic/start-report.html.

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