Crime & Safety

Armed Banning Teen Runs From Cops, Found Via Helicopter Search

The teen, with alleged gang ties, was out on bail for another crime when he was arrested, according to court and police records.

A teen was jailed in Banning Wednesday, a week after his arrest following a local police chase, jail records indicate.

18-year-old Cedric Saunders, of Banning, was arrested Feb. 20 after a sheriff's deputy tried to perform a "pedestrian check" along Ramsey Street near Livingston Street, and he ran, according to Sheriff's Spokesman Deputy Albert Martinez.

"Upon Saunders fleeing he was observed clutching an unknown item along his waistband which was discovered to be a loaded firearm," Martinez added.

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While running, the teen— who was out of jail on bail for a robbery charge— allegedly tossed the gun into a nearby bush, which was eventually recovered, according to Martinez and court records.

But Saunders wasn't found as quickly as the gun, as the sheriff's department, with help from the Banning Police Department, had to set up a perimeter and search for the teen, according to Martinez.

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"Saunders was eventually located by the Sheriff's Department Aviation Unit utilizing their FLIR system along with a report of a suspicious male called in by a concerned citizen," he said.

Once Saunders was arrested, he was booked back into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in lieu of $60,000 bail, according to court records.

Court records also reveal that Saunders had posted $35,000 bail in relation to a Jan. 17 robbery and attempted robbery he's charged with committing, along with a gang activity enhancement.

He pleaded not guilty to to the robbery charges, as well as to the charges related to the chase, according to court records.

He's due in court again on March 26.


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