San Bernardino County law enforcement are investigating a brazen strong-arm robbery at a GameStop in Redlands that may be linked to a separate incident at a GameStop in San Bernardino, officials said.
Incident and immediate response
Redlands police say several suspects wearing masks and gloves entered the store in the Citrus Plaza shopping center on the night of Aug. 10. According to investigators, the group demanded that an employee open a back-office door. When the employee refused, the suspects began ripping merchandise from the walls, removed a cash register drawer and fled the scene.
Officers later located an unoccupied vehicle believed to have been used by the suspects at an apartment complex in Hesperia. Authorities have not released any names, arrest information or descriptions beyond the use of masks and gloves. The investigation is active.
"Police believe the robbery may be connected to a similar incident at a GameStop in San Bernardino."
Broader pattern of thefts under review
Investigators in Redlands are treating the GameStop theft as part of a wider string of property crimes reported in recent days across the region. In addition to the retail robbery, police are probing a substantial theft of wiring and copper pipe and a series of vehicle burglaries in south Redlands.
- GameStop robbery — Aug. 10: masked suspects stole merchandise and a cash register drawer at Citrus Plaza; suspect vehicle found later in Hesperia.
- Commercial copper theft — between July 31 and Aug. 5: about $100,000 in electrical wiring and copper pipe stolen from a business at 800 Tri-City Center Drive.
- Vehicle burglaries — reported overnight into Aug. 11: multiple cars in south Redlands had windows smashed and items taken, including purses and credit cards.
Redlands police said the copper and wiring theft was reported through the city's 311 mobile app. No suspects have been publicly identified in that case.
Public-safety consequences and investigative focus
Retail robberies and metal thefts carry both immediate financial losses and broader public-safety implications. Stolen wiring and pipe can cripple business operations and create hazards, while smash-and-grab vehicle burglaries increase residents' sense of vulnerability and burden law enforcement resources.
Local agencies often coordinate on investigations that cross municipal boundaries. The temporary recovery of a vehicle in Hesperia suggests investigators are tracing movement between jurisdictions, which commonly involves detectives from the city where the crime occurred working with county or neighboring city counterparts.
Authorities urge residents and businesses to remain vigilant: secure valuables, report suspicious activity promptly and preserve video or other evidence for investigators. Police also encourage victims to use official reporting channels, such as Redlands' 311 app for nonemergencies, so incidents are documented and can be linked if part of a larger pattern.
Other recent incidents
In a separate matter, Redlands officers found a 68-year-old woman deceased after she failed to return from a walk. The woman was located near a ravine on Aug. 8; police reported no signs of foul play and believe she died after a fall. Additionally, two people were reported hurt after a vehicle struck parked cars in an unrelated crash.
| Date range | Location | Reported loss / outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 10 | GameStop, Citrus Plaza (Redlands) | Merchandise and cash register drawer stolen; vehicle found later in Hesperia |
| July 31–Aug. 5 | 800 Tri-City Center Drive (business) | About $100,000 in wiring and copper pipe stolen |
| Overnight Aug. 10–11 | South Redlands neighborhoods | Several vehicle burglaries; windows smashed; items stolen |
Investigations remain ongoing. Anyone with information about the GameStop incident, the copper theft or the vehicle burglaries is asked to contact Redlands police. Tips can help determine whether the Redlands and San Bernardino GameStop robberies are connected and assist in efforts to hold suspects accountable.
