RPD Gives Chiefs Commendations to Two Residents

The Redlands Police Department recognized employees and volunteers and welcomed new members to the department during a December 10 ceremony. Police Chief Mark Garcia presented Chief’s Commendations to two residents, two department employees and a business. Lifesaving awards were presented to an RPD officer, five members of the Redlands Fire Department and a civilian member of the public for their actions in treating a driver who suffered a heart attack. The department recognized its Explorer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Reserve Officer of the Year, Officer of the Year and Civilian Employee of the Year. The department also welcomed four new employees. Recipients of Chief’s Commendations included the following: Paul Holley On the afternoon of Sept. 20, Holley was at his mother’s residence in a neighborhood on the east side of town when a man rang the doorbell. When Holley answered the front door, the man asked about the residence, saying that his mother was interested in buying the home, which was up for sale. After Holley spoke to him, the man walked away and got into a newer Hyundai parked in the driveway. Holley watched the man as he sat in the vehicle for several minutes. He saw the man park the Hyundai on the wrong side of the street, exit the car and walk toward the back yard of a neighboring residence. A minute or two later, he saw the man with another man, carrying a large flat-screen television and another object to the Hyundai. Holley called police. While he was speaking with dispatch, Holley saw the Hyundai pull away from the curb. He followed the suspect’s car in his own vehicle while giving dispatch the vehicle’s license plate and direction of travel. Holley followed the vehicle for about three miles while updating police dispatchers until the RPD air support unit was able to spot them and direct officers who detained the three occupants. Inside the vehicle were several items stolen in the residential burglary, including a flat screen television. Police arrested the three men who had also been involved in an attempted burglary a day earlier. Maria Valdez On Aug. 13, Valdez was traveling on Church Street approaching Brockton Avenue when she saw a man standing near the northwest corner of Church and Brockton. Suddenly, the man started firing a gun towards a residence on the southwest corner of the intersection. Valdez heard several gunshots and someone screaming. The man turned and ran eastbound across Church Street directly in front of Valdez’s car. Valdez watched as the man entered the driver's seat of a black four-door car parked in an alley east of Church Street. She turned east onto Brockton Avenue and watched as the suspect vehicle pulled out of the alleyway in front of her. Valdez memorized the license plate to the vehicle, pulled over and immediately called 911. Later when detectives showed her a photographic lineup containing a possible suspect, Valdez identified the suspected shooter. Her actions and observations led to the arrest of the suspect. Be sure to read the Redlands City News in coming editions to read more about individuals and businesses honored by the RPD at the Dec. 10 ceremony! Find us online at www.citynewsgroup.com > Redlands.