Riverside Sheriff Feed

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Deirdre Vickers

File # N/A

Details:

The Department is saddened to announce the death of Deputy Darnell Calhoun, most recently assigned to the Lake Elsinore Station. Deputy Calhoun was shot and killed in the line of duty on Friday, January 13, 2023. He was 30 years old.

Darnell Calhoun began his service with our Department as a Deputy Sheriff on February 24, 2022, and was assigned to the Lake Elsinore Station. Deputy Calhoun spent two years working for the San Diego Police Department before being hired by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Information on funeral services will be released as it becomes available.

On behalf of the entire Department, we extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Deputy Darnell Calhoun.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Deirdre Vickers

File # F230130025

Details:

On January 13, 2023, about 4:20 pm, Deputy Darnell Calhoun responded to the 18000 block of Hilldale Lane, in the unincorporated area of Lakeland Village, regarding an unknown trouble. As Deputy Calhoun approached the residence, the suspect began shooting at him, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. As an additional deputy arrived, the suspect engaged him with gunfire as well. The suspect was ultimately wounded and taken into custody.

Deputy Calhoun sustained life threatening injuries and was rushed to a local area hospital by sheriff’s deputies. Deputy Calhoun was later pronounced deceased.

The suspect was transported to a local area hospital and treated for his injuries. The suspect is in critical condition.

The deputy involved in the shooting will be placed on paid administrative leave according to Department policy. The name of the involved deputy will not be released at this time.

An investigator from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office will lead this investigation, aided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Force Investigations Detail. This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact DA Investigator Mario Moreno at (951) 334-0407, mariomoreno@rivcoda.org or Riverside County Sheriff’s Investigator Jarred Bishop at 951-955-1700.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Don Olson

File # T230130012

Details:

On January 13, 2023, about 2:33 am, deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff Station responded to a call of a traffic collision at the intersection Country Club Dr. and Cook St. in Palm Desert. Upon arrival, deputies determined the driver and sole occupant of one vehicle was deceased. The other driver and sole occupant, Alberto Lopez, 26 years of Coachella, showed signs of impairment and was subsequently arrested. A records check indicated Alberto Lopez has prior convictions for driving under the influence.

The Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station Traffic Team responded to the location of the collision and assumed the investigation. The investigation revealed a burgundy Dodge Durango, driven by Lopez, was traveling eastbound on Country Club Dr. at a high rate of speed. Lopez collided into the rear of a red Hyundai Elantra which was stopped on Country Club Dr. at the intersection of Cook St.

The traffic collision investigation required the temporary closure of all lanes of travel of Country Club Dr and Cook St. The roadway has been reopened.

Alberto Lopez was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on charges of PC 187 – Murder and is being held on $1,000,000 bail.

This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Deputy Claro Sanchez of the Palm Desert Station at 760-836-1600.

Persons who wish to report criminal activity and wish to remain anonymous can call crime stoppers at 800-78-CRIME (800-782-7463) or 800-47-DRUGS (800-473-7847). You can also leave anonymous information on our Crime Tips Online Form.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Daniel Milbrandt

File # O230080003

Details:

On Sunday, January 8, 2023, at 02:01 a.m., deputies responded to a motel in the 78100 block of Varner Road in unincorporated Palm Desert regarding an assault with a deadly weapon. The victim sustained a single gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The suspect was identified as Priscilla Guzman, 24, of Indio.

On Tuesday, January 10, 2023, personnel from the Palm Desert Investigations Bureau, Palm Desert Burglary Suppression Unit, Fugitive Warrant Enforcement Team, and Gang Task Force apprehended Guzman at a residence in the 84100 block of Avenue 48, Indio. Search warrants were served at residences in Indio and Thermal, and evidence implicating Guzman was located.

Guzman was booked for attempted murder at the John Benoit Detention Center and her bail was set at $1 million.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Investigator Grasso at 760–836–1600.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Richard Carroll

File # WI230090039

Details:

On Monday, January 9, 2023, at 4:47 PM, deputies from the Lake Elsinore Station responded to Melinda Lane and Corydon Road in Wildomar for a report of a shooting. Deputies arrived within minutes and did not locate any victims or evidence of a shooting.

Shortly thereafter, a victim with a gunshot wound arrived at a nearby hospital. Despite life-saving efforts by medical personnel, the victim, a 16-year-old male, was pronounced deceased.

Investigators from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station and the Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation. Investigative leads are currently being worked on, and there is no threat to the public. This incident appears to be isolated between the suspect(s) and the victim.

The investigation is ongoing, and no additional details are currently available. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Investigator Brown at (951) 955-2777.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD

Reporting Deputy: C. Cpl. Monique Ferrari

File # N/A

Details:

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a Deputy Sheriff and Correctional Deputy Expedited Hiring Event on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at Palm Desert High School, 74910 Aztec Rd, Palm Desert, CA 92260. The event will take place from 7:00 AM- 12:00 PM and is open to all members of the public.

Sheriff’s employees will be on-site to provide career information and assist anyone interested in a career in law enforcement within the Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff or Correctional Deputy.
For those ready to begin a career with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, written examinations and physical agility tests for Deputy Sheriff and Correctional Deputy will be administered during the event and applicants passing both can begin the background process in one day. Interested applicants are highly encouraged to pre-register by applying at www.joinrsd.org or using the QR code on the attached flyer. Walk-ins are also welcome to attend and will be assisted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please visit our Facebook page or Instagram at JoinRSD for information about this and future recruiting events.

For all media inquiries, please contact the Media Information Bureau.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Don Olson

File # N/A

Details:

Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Rancho Mirage Holding DUI Checkpoint

Rancho Mirage, Calif. – On January 13, 2023, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Rancho Mirage.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” Sergeant Don Olson said. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Daniel Milbrandt

File # T221790069

Details:

On June 28, 2022, Palm Desert Station deputies responded to an armed robbery of a jewelry store in the 73200 block of Highway 111, Palm Desert. Three suspects entered the business, held the owner at gunpoint, and stole jewelry before fleeing the store. The Palm Desert Investigations Bureau assumed the investigation and, over the past six months, worked to identify the four suspects involved: Rayjon Thornton, 26, of San Pedro; Demetrius Thornton, 23, of Colton; Joshua King, 27 of Compton, and Karina Ortega, 22 of Tracy.

On August 9, 2022, Rayjon Thornton was located and arrested in Commerce, CA, and Demetrius Thornton was located and arrested in Adelanto, CA. On January 4, 2023, Joshua King was located and arrested in Compton, CA. All three were booked into Riverside County jails and are awaiting trial. Karina Ortega’s whereabouts are currently unknown.

Anyone with information on this crime or Ortega’s whereabouts is asked to call Investigator Grasso at 760-836-1600.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Travis Mountz

File # T230060056

Details:

On Friday, January 6, 2023, at 12:06 PM, Palm Desert Deputies responded to a victim who had just been robbed at gunpoint. The victim told deputies he met with the suspect to sell him an Apple iPhone. Instead of providing money, the suspect removed a handgun from his waistband and told the victim to give him the phone. The suspect then fled in a black four door Chrysler. Deputies used surveillance cameras to identify the suspect’s car and broadcasted the description to neighboring police departments. At approximately 3:15 PM, officers from Desert Hot Springs Police Department (DHSPD) located the suspect’s vehicle in the driveway of a residence, near the 66800 block of Flora Ave. in Desert Hot Springs.  Officers from DHSPD conducted surveillance of the suspect’s house and vehicle, while deputies from Palm Desert responded. Before the deputies from Palm Desert arrived the suspect exited the house and was detained by DHSPD.

Palm Desert Patrol deputies along with deputies assigned to the Palm Desert Special Enforcement Team and Palm Desert Business District Team arrived and continued the investigation. The victim positively identified a 17-year-old Hispanic male, who lived at the location as the suspect. Deputies from the Palm Desert Special Enforcement Team wrote a search warrant for the suspect’s car and residence. During the search of the residence, deputies located a loaded handgun. Deputies also located the victim’s cell phone and several magazines, un-serialized gun parts used to manufacture/assemble firearms, and various caliber bullets.

The 17-year-old was booked into juvenile hall for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, and weapons violations. Gustavo Corona, a 35-year-old who also lived at the residence, was also arrested for a misdemeanor warrant and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center.

Anyone with additional information on this case is encouraged to call Deputy Pulido at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station by calling 760-836-1600.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD