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Crime & Safety

Robbery Suspect Arrested After Chase

Lamon Christensen, 61, of Highland, was arrested at a gas station at University Parkway near Interstate 215. He is suspected of robbing a Redlands bank.

A 61-year-old Highland man was arrested on suspicion of bank robbery after he led police on a high-speed freeway pursuit Friday afternoon.

Lamon Christensen was arrested at a gas station at University Parkway near Interstate 215 about 5 p.m. Friday, at the end of a pursuit on local freeways. Police say Christensen is the man who held up a Security Bank of California branch in Redlands a day earlier.

The robbery occurred about 9 a.m. Thursday. Redlands Police say a gunman entered the Security Bank of California, at 201 E. State St., and approached the manager. He pulled up his shirt and displayed a handgun in his waistband and demanded money from the tellers, officers said. The robber fled in a red Ford Mustang.

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Early Friday, officers stopped a car the description of the getaway vehicle. The driver, who is a vehicle broker, told detectives that the vehicle had been detailed Thursday afternoon in San Bernardino before it was turned over to the broker, officials said. The driver identified the auto detailer as Christensen.

Police spotted Christensen driving in San Bernardino, officials said. When Redlands Police officers attempted a traffic stop, Christensen sped off, leading authorities a chase north on the 215 freeway.

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Eventually Christensen doubled back and headed south on the freeway, officials said. He exited the freeway at University Parkway and pulled into a Shell gas station, where he attempted to carjack another vehicle before he was taken into custody, officials said.

Detectives located a large amount of cash, and a replica handgun and other evidence in the vehicle, Redlands investigators said. Bank employees identified Christensen as the man who held up the bank Thursday, police investigators said.

Redlands detectives ask anyone with additional information on the bank robbery is asked to contact Detective Tony Ortiz at (909) 335-4777 or Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681. Anonymous tips can be provided by texting 274637 using the keyword REDTIP.

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