Redlands Police Seek Public's Help in Identifying Fraud Suspects

From a Redlands Police Department Press Release:

Redlands Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying suspects who defrauded an elderly victim of $35,000 in cash last February.

Police said victim was flagged down in the parking lot of the Vons market at 522 Orange St. at about 10 a.m. on Feb. 5 of this year. The suspect told the woman that she needed help finding an address in town.

After gaining the victim’s trust, the suspect persuaded the victim to drive her to the Bank of America branch in Redlands and to withdraw $12,000. The victim then drove to another Bank of America branch in San Bernardino, where she withdrew another $23,000.

En route to the second bank, the victim asked the suspect to stop at a Circle K convenience store for a drink. Surveillance photos from the convenience store show the suspect and another woman who may also be involved.

The suspect was on the phone with a second male suspect, who she said was the bank president. He allegedly instructed her to place the cash in the trunk of the victim’s car and return to Redlands to fill out paperwork. The victim was told she would receive $572,000.

After getting into the car with the victim, the suspect then informed her that she needed to use the restroom, walked across the street and never returned. The victim checked the trunk of her vehicle for the cash she had withdrawn and discovered it missing.

Police obtained surveillance video of the female suspect and are asking the public’s help in identifying the woman. She is described as black, in her mid to late 40s. She had short orange/red hair which was possibly a wig. She was last seen wearing a dark blazer and white collared blouse.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Natasha Crawford at (909) 798-7623 or Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681.