Crime & Safety

Victim's Ex-Husband Arrested in Connection with Redlands Pipe Bomb Incident

A pipe bomb was found Nov. 11 under a woman's car at the Redlands Town Plaza, across from Redlands Citrus Plaza. It forced the evacuation of hundreds of people.

The ex-husband of a woman who found a pipe bomb under her vehicle has been arrested on suspicion of placing it there.

Redlands Police arrested 28-year-old Steven James Sunny, from Victorville, about 6 p.m. Monday at a home in San Bernardino. Redlands Police teamed with FBI and ATF agents to serve search warrants at locations in Victorville and San Bernardino. Officials said they recovered evidence at both locations.

Sunny may be facing three counts of attempted murder and possession of an explosive device with intent to kill. He is being held in San Bernardino County jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

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Investigators are looking into a motive for the bomb. Redlands City Spokesman Carl Baker said would only say that the incident might have been prompted by a domestic dispute stemming from the couple’s divorce.

Authorities were called to the Redlands Town Center, in the 1000 block of Alabama Street, about 1 p.m. on Nov. 11. The woman who had been shopping at the center noticed a suspicious looking device under her Ford Flex parked in the northwest corner of the shopping center’s parking lot, Baker said.

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Officers determined it was an explosives device and members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Bomb and Arson Unit used a robot to safely remove and detonate it away from vehicles and shoppers.

Police evacuated seven stores in the center, including J.C. Penney, two restaurants, a shoe store, jewelry store, hair salon and a nail salon, Baker said.

Police also cordoned off a large area of the parking lot, cutting off access to several dozen vehicles while bomb squad members removed the device. A trained canine searched for additional devices. None were found and the perimeter was opened shortly after 5 p.m. No one was injured.

The investigation is ongoing. Police ask anyone with additional information to call Detective Dominick Povero at (909) 798-7580 or Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681.

Anonymous tips can be provided by texting 274637 using the keyword “REDTIP.” Certain non-emergency crimes may also be reported online using the Redlands Police Department’s CopLogic reporting system at http://www.cityofredlands.org/police/report.


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