Police believe that this surveillance image of a suspect in the Aug. 17 robbery of a Toys R Us in Redlands is Michael Lamont Scott Jr., 28, of Banning, authorities said. He has been arrested along with Ryan Neal Williams of San Bernardino in connection with at least 13 armed robberies from Ontario to Calimesa.
Two men suspected of committing a string of armed robberies in several Inland Empire cities are behind bars, authorities said.
Fontana and Redlands police, with help from the Inland Valley SWAT team, arrested Michael Lamont Scott Jr., 28, of Banning, and Ryan Neal Williams, 29, of San Bernardino in connection with robberies at least 13 businesses in Redlands, Fontana, San Bernardino, Calimesa, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto and Ontario, according to a statement from Redlands police.
Redlands authorities believe Scott held up a Starbucks at 637 Orange St. on Aug. 1, Toys R Us, 9930 Alabama St., on Aug. 17 and the Papa John’s Pizza at 770 Tennessee St. on Aug. 24. It is believed that Williams was the getaway driver in each hold-up, authorities said.
The two are suspected of first hitting a Fontana Kmart on July 30. Detectives in Fontana were able to identify Williams as a possible accomplice. Fontana detectives later identified Scott as the man who was entering the businesses and allegedly demanding money. Working with Redlands police, investigators were able to confirm Scott as the suspect in the Redlands robberies, authorities said.
On Tuesday, Redlands police were conducting surveillance when they reportedly spotted Scott and Williams leaving a San Bernardino home in a vehicle. The Inland Valley SWAT Team was called to stop the vehicle.
Williams was arrested on outstanding warrants and later booked on suspicion of conspiracy and armed robbery. Scott was arrested on suspicion of armed robbery and conspiracy as well being a parolee at large. A search of court records also shows that Scott has an outstanding $100,000 warrant out of Riverside County. An airsoft gun and clothing matching the descriptions from several of the robberies were reportedly recovered by detectives.
Both men were being held at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.