Riverside Sheriff Feed

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Josh Hephner

File # Multiple

Details:

On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, deputies from the Southwest Station METRO Team and Community Outreach Resources Engagement Team (CORE), in partnership with personnel from the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT), conducted a comprehensive “John” prostitution sting in an effort to reduce the demand for sex trafficking in the city of Temecula.

Law enforcement personnel, operating in an undercover capacity, placed decoy advertisements on several popular classified advertisement websites commonly used for the solicitation of online prostitution. After brokering an agreement for paid sexual acts, these “Johns,” were then arrested upon their arrival to the meeting location.

During the course of the operation, two adult females were contacted who were believed to be victims of human trafficking and possibly being forced to engage in acts of prostitution against their will. The identity of these victims will not be released pursuant to state confidentiality laws. The victims were referred to victim services for assistance while the investigation into sex trafficking continues.

As a result of this enforcement effort, a total of 10 men were arrested on misdemeanor prostitution charges, which are listed below:

Stanley Kariuki
Cesar Maya
Chad Priest
Christopher Sias
Trenton Gelgand
Steven Karimi
Victor Collins
Israel Abaclopez
Tony Burks
Travis White

All subjects arrested were booked and released from the CoisByrd Detention Center in Murrieta.

Prostitution is not a victimless crime. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that one in six endangered runaways reported are likely victims of sex trafficking. Sex trafficking victims are often subjected not only to severe forms of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of their trafficker, but are also frequently physically and sexually assaulted by those that solicit them for prostitution. Southwest Station METRO and CORE, along with the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, seek to disrupt and dismantle sex trafficking rings operating within Riverside County and will aggressively identify, pursue and apprehend those who seek to exploit those whom are most vulnerable. They will also proactively work to reduce future demand for sex trafficking by identifying and arresting sex buyers.

Report Human Trafficking activity or tips to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at (888) 373-7888

Anyone with questions about this operation can contact Deputy A. Valadez of the Southwest Station at (951) 696-3000.

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 Joey Sinz

File # N/A

Details:

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Reminds Parents Are Key to Keeping Teens Safe Behind the Wheel

National Teen Driver Safety Week kicks off October 16

Temecula, California. – In recognition of National Teen Driver Safety Week (October 16-22), Riverside Sheriff-Southwest Station encourages teens and their parents to talk about the importance of following the rules of the road and driving responsibly.

Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 2,378 teenagers died in car crashes in 2020 – a 14% increase from the prior year. Per mile driven, teen drivers are nearly four times as likely to be involved in a crash as drivers in all other age groups.

“Parents play a critical role in teen driver safety and in communicating important driving safety information,” Riverside Sheriff-Southwest Station Deputy Opice said.  “Teen drivers are still gaining experience behind the wheel and more likely to take risks and pick up bad habits. It is important for parents and caregivers to play an active role in talking to their teens about risky driving behaviors that can lead to deadly and tragic consequences.”

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department offers the following tips to parents and guardians for starting conversations about safe driving with teens:

• Provisional Driver’s License: Learn about California’s provisional licensing law, which places restrictions on passengers and driving at night during the first year they have a license.
• Lead by example: Have driving sessions with your teen. Tell, but also show your teen how to drive safely.
• Set ground rules: Be firm on rules such as no phone use, being distracted by friends, always following the speed limit, and always buckling up.
• Sober driving: Emphasize the importance of never driving under the influence or riding with someone who has been drinking.

Funding for this program is provided to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Southwest Station 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 Joey Sinz

File # N/A

Details:

Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Reminds Drivers to Always Stop for School Buses During National School Bus Safety Week

Temecula, Calif. – This National School Bus Safety Week (October 17-21), Riverside Sheriff-Southwest Station supports efforts throughout the state to keep children and caregivers safe by reminding drivers of the dangers of passing a stopped school bus. Drivers are required to come to a complete stop when a school bus stop-arm is extended, and the red lights are flashing.

Held annually during the third week of October, National School Bus Safety Week is a way for parents, children, teachers, bus drivers, school administrators and law enforcement to promote traveling to and from school by bus as a safe transportation option. This year’s campaign focuses on preventing illegal school bus passing.

While riding the bus is the safest way for children to get to and from school, an alarming number of drivers illegally pass school buses who have their red lights activated. From 2011 to 2020 a total of 218 school-age children (18 and younger) died in school-bus-related crashes during that period, either riding on school buses, other cars, or on foot or bike, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

With few exceptions, California law requires drivers to stop in both directions when a school bus has flashing red lights on. Drivers must stop until the red lights are off, and children are on or off the bus and safely out of the road.

“It is so important that we remind drivers in our community that when red lights are flashing, there is no passing,” Riverside Sheriff-Southwest Station Deputy Frank Opice said. “Children and their parents/guardians are relying on drivers to follow the law and keep them safe.”

Funding for this operation is provided to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Southwest Station 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 Frank Tiburzio

File # SW222900039

Details:

Luis Sanchez

On October 17, 2022, at 2:53 PM, deputies from the Southwest Station received a call regarding a subject being shot and located an adult male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. That victim had been driven by private vehicle to a nearby fire station, located at 37700 Glen Oaks Road in Temecula, seeking medical attention. Paramedics provided initial care for the victim and he was transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care, where he was listed in stable condition with a non-life threatening injury.

The investigation revealed the shooting occurred on private property near the intersection of Stage Road and Barranca Road in the unincorporated area of Riverside County known as Sage. Numerous sheriff personnel responded to the crime scene, where an adult male suspect surrendered without incident. The suspect was identified as Luis Sanchez, a 32-year-old resident of Sage.  Sanchez was arrested for Assault with a Deadly Weapon and booked at the Cois Byrd Detention Center. He is being held on $25,000 bail. There are no additional suspects wanted in this case and the subjects involved in the investigation were known to one another.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, they are encouraged to call Investigator K. Horkel or Sergeant Frank Tiburzio of the Southwest Station at 951-696-3000.

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 Joey Sinz

File # N/A

Reminding Drivers to Beware and Alert for Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween Night

Details:

Temecula, California. – As Halloween creeps closer, The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department – Southwest Station, encourages everyone on the road to be extra careful as children are out walking the neighborhood haunting for treats. “We want our community to have a fun night out on Halloween, but to also stay safe and make responsible choices,” Southwest Station Traffic Deputy Frank Opice said. “If you drink alcohol, please make sure you plan for a sober ride home. Even one drink can impair judgement.”

Because of the parties, trick-or-treating, and other festivities, Halloween night can be especially dangerous on our nation’s roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, adults between the ages of 21 and 34 had the highest percentage (68%) of fatalities in drunk-driving crashes on Halloween night in 2020. During that same night, 11 pedestrians were killed in drunk-driving crashes.

Whether you are celebrating the spirit of Halloween or Día de los Muertos, the Southwest Station offers the following tips for families to be as safe as possible and share the road safely:

Drivers

• Slow down and watch out for more foot traffic in residential neighborhoods.
• Take extra time looking for trick-or-treaters at intersections and entering/exiting driveways.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.
• If you are heading to a local bar, restaurant or house party and plan to drink, bring the designated sober driver with you, use a ride-hailing service, or stay the night.

Parents and trick-or-treaters

• Make sure costumes fit to prevent trips and falls.
• Decorate costumes and bags/buckets with reflective tape.
• Have kids use flashlights or glow sticks to make it easier for drivers to see them.
• Walk on sidewalks, when available. Avoid darting into the street or crossing between parked cars.
• Stick to familiar, well-lit routes.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.

In an effort to keep trick-or-treaters and others in the Halloween spirit safe, deputies at the Southwest Station will be on patrol and looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. 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 Frank Rice

File # D-223010024

Details:

Elder Tomas Funes

Throughout September and October 2022, the Southwest Riverside County agricultural businesses experienced a rash of thefts from our local wineries, farms, dairies, and equestrian centers, including multiple light thefts, vehicle thefts, and commodity (hay and feed) thefts.

On Friday, October 28, 2022, the Riverside County Agriculture (AG) Team, along with deputies from the Temecula Community Outreach Resources Engagement Team (CORE), Gang Task Force, and Southwest Station command staff, executed a search warrant at a business in the 39000 block of Cactus Valley Road in Hemet. The search warrant was related to agricultural theft of alfalfa hay from a business (Galway Downs) throughout September and October. In the latest theft on October 27, 2022, the suspect stole a total of $1000 in alfalfa hay. The AG Team used multiple investigative tools and conducted multiple follow-up investigations that enabled them to locate the stolen alfalfa hay and return it to Galway Downs.

As a result of the search warrant, Elder Tomas Funes, a 20-year-old male, was arrested and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center.

In 2019, Sheriff Bianco formed the Agriculture (AG) Team, which has been assisting with these various theft investigations in order to seek out the perpetrators of these crimes. The AG Team has been involved with multiple investigations and has been successful in not only catching the suspects, but returning the stolen property back to the rightful owner.

Anyone with additional information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Sergeant Frank Rice of the Riverside County AG Team at 951-217-4560 or via email at frice@riversidesheriff.org.

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 William Pratt

File # N/A

Details:

On November 18, 2022, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department – Southwest Station will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 7:00 PM to 01:00 AM at an undisclosed location in the city of Temecula.

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

Riverside County Sheriff’s Department – Southwest Station 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 F. Schiavone

File # O221230024

Details:

Rosario Navarro Gonzalez

On May 3, 2022, deputies from the Palm Desert Station began to investigate a sexual assault that occurred in the 64500 block of Pierson Boulevard in Desert Hot Springs. The investigation revealed that on July 18, 2021, a 15-year-old female was sexually assaulted by a 48-year-old Hispanic male known to the victim. The suspect was determined to be the victim’s soccer coach and was assaulted when the victim returned to visit family members in the area.

Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the victim was contacted again by the soccer coach on February 5, 2022, while the victim was at a business in the 40800 block of Winchester Road in Temecula. The victim’s parents subsequently reported the incident to law enforcement and the Palm Desert Investigations Bureau assumed the investigation. Based on the information, the suspect was positively identified as Rosario Navarro Gonzalez, a 49-year-old resident of Menifee.

On September 22, 2022, at 12:27 AM, Rosario Navarro Gonzalez was located at his residence in the 27900 block of Adams Avenue in the city of Menifee and arrested without incident. Rosario Navarro Gonzalez was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for lewd acts with a minor.

The Palm Desert Station Investigations Bureau is asking anyone with additional information related to this incident to contact Investigator Evans of the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station by calling 760- 836–1600. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Valley Crimestoppers at 760–341–7867, or submit a tip at, valleycrimestoppers.org

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: Lieutenant Chris Willison

File # T222700165

Details:

On Tuesday, September 27, 2022, about 9:52 PM, deputies from the Palm Desert Station responded to a report of a residential panic alarm in the 74300 block of Xavier Court in Palm Desert. The elderly homeowner reported two unknown subjects were at the front door of her residence and attempting to gain entry. As deputies responded to the location, they located and contacted the subjects identified as Jason Negron, age 41 of Las Vegas, and Hope Etsitty, age 46 of Las Vegas. It was determined that both Negron and Etsitty were under the influence of a controlled substance. During a search of their vehicle, deputies located approximately 8 grams of ecstasy, two loaded and unregistered revolvers, a loaded and unregistered Glock 27 handgun, ammunition, and multiple prohibited weapons. Negron and Etsitty was arrested for numerous violations of law and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Deputy Coronado of the Palm Desert Station at 760-836-1600. The Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station continuously strives to ensure the citizens of Riverside County live comfortably and their quality of life is unimpeded. The Sheriff’s Department would like to thank those affected by this incident for their continued patience and cooperation as this investigation took place.

As a reminder, “Community Policing” involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at 760-836-3215, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline at 909-987-5005.

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

Jason Negron
Hope Etsitty

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