Crime & Safety

Robbery Suspects Taken Into Custody

Two men suspected of robbing a cash advance business are in custody less than a day after the crime occurred.

Redlands Police arrested two men suspected of holding up a cash advance business Thursday.

Michael Earl Avington, 33, of Los Angeles, and George William Scally, 33, of Redlands, were arrested less than 12 hours after the robbery occured, police officials said.

Police said about 10:15 a.m. Thursday, an armed man entered Advance America at 1564 Barton Road. He approached a clerk, displayed a handgun and demanded cash, officials said. He then ordered the clerk to the back of the business to open the safe.

The robber fled in a black Chevrolet Suburban driven by another man, officials said. Police used witness reports and surveillance video to get a license plate number of the vehicle and traced it to a Redlands apartment.

About 7 p.m. Thursday, a Redlands Fire Department Battalion Chief spotted the suspect vehicle at the Mill Creek Restaurant at California Street and Orange Tree Lane and alerted police, officials said.

Officers set up surveillance on the Suburban until two men, matching the description of the robbery suspects, got into the vehicle and drove away, officials said. Police stopped the vehicle near New York and Pine streets.

Police said they found cash taken in the robbery during a search of the car. More cash and clothing matching what was reportedly worn during the robbery were also found during a search of the home of one of the suspects in the 900 block of Palmbrook, officials said.

A handgun, later found to have been stolen during a residential burglary in Los Angeles County, was also reportedly found in the home.

Police ask anyone with additional information 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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