Redlands Resident Surprises Alleged Burglars in Home, One Suspect Arrested

A Redlands resident surprised two men inside his Placer Street home Wednesday morning and police caught one suspect, but the other suspect got away, a city spokesman said Thursday.

The resident was returning to his home in the 1200 block of Placer about 9:30 a.m. Jan. 30 when he saw a gray Honda Civic parked in front of the house, Redlands spokesman Carl Baker said in a statement.

"When he entered the home he discovered two men inside," Baker said. "The surprised burglars fled the house in opposite directions."

Police responded and found one suspect south of the residence in the 1400 block of Paloma, according to Baker and inmate records. Police continued searching but did not find the second suspect.

"The vehicle in front of the house was found to have been stolen from San Bernardino," Baker said.

A neighbor told police the men had approached the house, "wearing reflective vests and carrying a 'posse box' type clipboard," Baker said. The term posse box clipboard describes a type used by law enforcement and utility personnel.

"After knocking on the front door, the men went to the rear of the house where investigators say they pried open a door and gained entry," Baker said.

 The suspect who was caught was identified as Luis Castillo Jr., 25, of Redlands, and he was arrested on suspicion of burglary, possession of stolen property and auto theft, Baker said.

Castillo was booked at Central Detention Center in San Bernardino, according to inmate records. His bail was set at $75,000.

No description of the second suspect was released.

Anyone with more info was urged to call Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681. Anonymous tipsters can text 274637 and use the keyword REDTIP.

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