McDonalds hit twice, maybe three times

REDLANDS – A string of armed robberies at various McDonald’s restaurants, one in Redlands, may have been solved by police here.

Redlands police arrested two suspects, including a 15-year-old boy from San Bernardino, early Wednesday in a three-man robbery. According to police, the Redlands crime was a takeover robbery. The three suspects, armed with a handgun, ordered occupants to the floor.

Robbers forced restaurant employees to open the safe and went through the pockets of construction workers, who were on hand during a remodeling phase of the store at 1620 West Redlands Blvd. They took cash and personal property.

During the escape, one of the suspects dropped most of the cash taken from the safe.

A half hour later, there was a similar robbery that occurred at a McDonalds in nearby San Bernardino, located at 1575 East Highland Ave.

Redlands police investigators were led to an apartment complex in the 2000 block of Arden Ave. in San Bernardino. Investigators located about $1,400 in cash and numbered gift certificates from the San Bernardino McDonalds, along with personal property taken in both robberies.

Police arrested Emmanuel Williams, 18, along with another 15-year-old, both charged with robbery. Another suspect is being sought. San Bernardino police are also investigating and may file charges in their city.

Rialto police are also investigating to determine if the suspects were involved in a similar robbery.