Two Arrested After PlayStation Console Theft at Redlands GameStop; Vehicle Found in Victorville, Police Say
- Two suspects have been taken into custody and a third remains at large after a daytime heist targeting high-value PlayStation hardware at a Southern California GameStop, according to a report from Co…
- According to investigators, the theft took place on Monday afternoon, August 31, 2026, at the GameStop retail location on West Lugonia Avenue.
- Store surveillance cameras captured clear footage of the vehicle, allowing Redlands police to quickly broadcast a description and license details to surrounding law enforcement agencies.
Two suspects have been taken into custody and a third remains at large after a daytime heist targeting high-value PlayStation hardware at a Southern California GameStop, according to a report from Community Forward Redlands citing the Redlands Police Department. The getaway vehicle linked to the robbery was tracked and intercepted more than 40 miles away in Victorville.
Surveillance Footage Helped Identify the Getaway Vehicle
According to investigators, the theft took place on Monday afternoon, August 31, 2026, at the GameStop retail location on West Lugonia Avenue. A male suspect reportedly forced his way into a locked security cabinet — described by officers as having been kicked open — and grabbed multiple PlayStation consoles before fleeing the store on foot. The suspect was then seen entering a waiting vehicle driven by a woman.
Store surveillance cameras captured clear footage of the vehicle, allowing Redlands police to quickly broadcast a description and license details to surrounding law enforcement agencies. That alert proved decisive when San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies spotted and pulled over the matching vehicle miles north in Victorville.
One Passenger Escaped on Foot; Stolen Hardware Recovered
Upon conducting the traffic stop, deputies observed the stolen PlayStation hardware inside the vehicle and immediately arrested the female driver. Two passengers were also inside: one individual bolted on foot and evaded capture, while the second passenger was arrested at the scene on suspicion of receiving and possessing stolen property.
Authorities have not yet established whether the passenger who fled was the original suspect who kicked open the GameStop cabinet. As of early September, police have not disclosed the total quantity of PlayStation consoles recovered, their estimated retail value, or the specific formal charges filed against the two individuals currently in custody.
Console thefts have occasionally spiked during peak release seasons, particularly as demand holds strong amid Sony’s current PlayStation 5 hardware cycle and major upcoming holiday releases like Fall 2026’s blockbuster lineup.
This report is based on police disclosures published by Community Forward Redlands and the Redlands Police Department. For more hardware developments, retail news, and industry reporting, explore GameEmpress’s PlayStation coverage, our Gaming News section, and our complete Gaming hub.
Featured image: A GameStop store in Crossgates Mall, New York. Illustrative image; not the Redlands store. Photo: Daniel Case / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)