One Man Arrested, Another Identified in Armed Robbery

Redlands Police arrested one man and are attempting to locate a second suspect following an armed robbery at a gas station convenience store Monday. The two men are suspected in several other armed robberies in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. At about 4:15 a.m. on Jan. 20, police received the report of an armed robbery at the Unocal Station, 1075 Parkford Drive. Two men entered the store, displayed handguns and robbed the clerk of cash, alcohol and cigarettes. Police located the suspects’ vehicle, a green 2006 Honda Pilot, on Alabama Street near Interstate 10. When officers attempted to pull the vehicle over, a pursuit began, ending in Grand Terrace, where the vehicle crashed. The driver fled the vehicle and ran into a residential area. The passenger, Frank Louis Colunga Jr., 23, of Colton, was taken into custody. Police conducted yard-to-yard searches for the second suspect but were unable to locate him. Officers recovered guns and the stolen property in the vehicle. Police have identified the second suspect as Michael James Soto, 39, of Colton. In addition to the Redlands robbery, detectives believe Soto and Colunga are responsible for similar robberies in San Bernardino, Bloomington, Rialto and Riverside. Colunga is being held at Central Detention Center in San Bernardino on robbery and conspiracy charges. A warrant has been issued for Soto’s arrest. He is described as a Hispanic male, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 225 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with additional information on the robbery or Soto’s whereabouts is asked to contact Det. Dominick Povero at 909-798-7580 or Redlands Police Dispatch at 909-798-7681. Anonymous tips can be provided by texting 274637 using the keyword “REDTIP.”