A Murrieta police dog was instrumental in capturing a home invasion robbery suspect Monday in Redlands.
Murrieta police K9 Officer Travis Shows and Bloodhound Maddy joined the massive manhunt for the suspect that began at about 2 a.m. Monday. The suspect was sought in connection with the alleged robbery in the 500 block of West Crescent Avenue, Redlands police spokesperson Carl Baker said in a statement.
"The residents of the home were awakened by noises in the house and when they investigated they were confronted by an armed man," Baker said. "The robber left through a back door with personal electronics and miscellaneous jewelry stolen from the residence."
About five hours later, someone who lives on Knoll Road reported a suspicious person in their yard matching the description of the robber, Baker said.
"The man was gone when police arrived but police located property stolen during the earlier robbery," Baker said.
"The robber was considered armed and dangerous and as a precaution, nearby Kimberly Elementary School was locked down for nearly three hours from about 7:45 a.m. until shortly after 10:30 a.m.," he said.
Police closed off the area and began a yard-to-yard search with the assistance of a San Bernardino County sheriff's helicopter crew and Officer Shows with his trained Bloodhound from the Murrieta Police Department. Through mutual aid agreements, Murrieta police as well as the sheriff's department provide K9 assistance to neighboring agencies when duty calls.
While officers and detectives searched the neighborhood, a resident on Elizabeth Street noticed her dog barking and growling near some shrubbery outside her home, and she called police, Baker said.
Travis Michael Barden, 26, of Beamont was allegedly hiding under ivy in a yard in the 1400 block of Elizabeth Street when he was arrested at 12:11 p.m. Nov. 26, according to inmate records and Redlands police.
"Police searched the area and located the suspect hiding under several feet of ivy," Baker said. "Additional property from the robbery was located on his person."
Barden was arrested on suspicion of home invasion robbery, kidnapping and burglary, Baker said. He was transported to Central Detention Center in San Bernardino, where he was held Monday evening in lieu of $1 million bail.
