Riverside Sheriff Feed

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Jeff Reese 

File # F223390047

Details:

On December 5, 2022, at 8:00 PM, deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station responded to the 11500 block of Valley Oak Lane in Temescal Valley, regarding a home invasion robbery. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the homeowners (victims) were inside their residence when three unknown males, wearing gloves and face masks, each carrying an unknown make handgun, broke into the residence and demanded money. After the robbery, the suspects fled the residence with stolen items in their possession. Suspect #1 is described as wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants. Suspect #2 was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and black pants.Suspect #3 was wearing all black clothing. Investigators from the Lake Elsinore Station have assumed the investigation.

This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Investigator Mark Hardin of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station by calling 951-245-3300.

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 951-776-1099 or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency.

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

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Brad Foster

File # WI223350046

Details:

On December 1, 2022, at 6:40 PM, deputies from the Lake Elsinore Station received a call of a major injury traffic collision at Corydon Street and Plessner Way in the city of Wildomar. Upon arrival, deputies located an adult female pedestrian suffering from major injuries and immediately began life-saving measures. Paramedics from Cal Fire continued life-saving attempts upon their arrival, but the female was pronounced deceased. The driver of the vehicle remained at the location and cooperated with the investigation. The Lake Elsinore Station Traffic Reconstruction Team assumed the investigation and do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the collision. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending next of kin notification. Corydon Street was closed for several hours during the investigation.

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 Brad Foster

File # N/A

Details:

Plan Ahead This Holiday Season: Be Safe and Drive Sober

Cities of Lake Elsinore and Wildomar, Calif. – Millions of people will be traveling to visit friends and family over the holidays. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages everyone to celebrate safely and have a holiday game plan that includes a designated sober driver.

During the pre-Christmas and New Year’s holiday season Nov. 28-Dec. 13, The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“We want everyone to enjoy the holidays and be safe,” said Sergeant Brad Foster. “If you plan to go out and celebrate, make sure you plan ahead and find a safe, sober ride home because driving impaired should never be an option.”

Drunk driving is a problem on our nation’s roads every day, but it’s more prevalent during the holidays. During the 2016-2020 December months, there were more than 4,400 people killed in drunk-driving-related crashes.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers that a “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and marijuana can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs.

Funding for this program is 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 Brad Foster 

File # N/A

Details:

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Awarded $147,137 Grant to Deter Unsafe Behaviors, Increase Safety on Roads

Cities of Lake Elsinore and Wildomar, Calif. – The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department will increase patrols throughout the community and provide other traffic safety programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on roads.

“This grant funding allows us to support our ongoing traffic safety efforts in the community,” Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Trevor Downs said. “Our intent is to stop the most unlawful and dangerous behaviors that put people at risk and create an environment where everyone feels safe traveling.”

The grant will provide additional programs and resources, including:

• DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers.
• High visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law.
• Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.
• Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause crashes: speeding, failure to yield, stop sign and/or red-light running, and improper turning or lane changes.
• Enforcement operations focused on street racing and sideshows.
• Officer training and/or recertification: Standard Field Sobriety Test (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) and Drug Recognition Expert (DRE).

The grant program will run through September 2023.

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

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

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Jeff Cryder

File # Multiple Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage File Numbers

Details:

On Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at 5:18 AM, deputies from the Palm Desert Station responded to a report of a shooting at a business. Deputies located a vehicle leaving the area at a high rate of speed and an enforcement stop was conducted. Deputies detained the driver and passenger for further investigation into their possible involvement with the shooting at the business. Deputies located a sling shot, a firearm, and metal pellets inside of the vehicle. Members of the Rancho Mirage Special Enforcement Team assumed the investigation and currently identified over forty (40) businesses which were vandalized with similar pellets over the past two months. The total cost to repair the windows of the businesses vandalized in a similar manner is estimated to be over $150,000. The suspects were identified as Chance Sawyer, 24 of Palm Desert, and Brett Wellard, 33 of Palm Desert. Sawyer and Wellard are currently in custody at the John Benoit Detention Center for several counts of vandalism and illegal possession of a firearm.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has a zero tolerance for suspects interrupting the livelihoods of their residents. Suspects will be apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest for committing crimes and vandalizing businesses in our county. Anyone with additional information regarding these cases is encouraged to contact Deputy Kelly or Deputy Earley from the Rancho Mirage Special Enforcement Team at the Palm Desert Station at 760-836-1623/760-836-1633.

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: Deputy Joshua Robertson, Joshua Fransik

File # N/A

Details:

Riverside Sheriff’s Department, City of Rancho Mirage Encourages Everyone to Travel Safely and Make It to the Table for the Thanksgiving Holiday

The cities of Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage, Calif. – As millions of families throughout the state hit the road to visit friends and family this Thanksgiving holiday, Riverside Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers and passengers the importance of wearing a seat belt, and the potentially deadly consequences of not buckling up.

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year. According to AAA, 54.6 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving holiday, up 1.5% from 2021. With more cars on the road, the chances of being involved in a crash go up, and a seat belt is the best defense.

“Regardless of how far you are going for Thanksgiving, we want everyone to get to their destinations safely and enjoy the holiday,” Deputy Joshua Robertson said. “Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in the event of a crash. It’s critical that drivers and passengers buckle up, every trip, every time.”

During the 2020 Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period, 33 people died on roadways within California Highway Patrol jurisdiction. Among those killed, 14 were not wearing seat belts.

During the Thanksgiving holiday Nov. 23-27 Riverside Sheriff’s Department and City of Rancho Mirage will conduct operations specifically focused on drivers and passengers who are not wearing their seat belt, including children who are not secured in child safety seats.

Under California law, children under two years old who weigh under 40 pounds or are under 40 inches tall must ride in a rear-facing car seat. Children under the age of eight or under 4’ 9” tall must be secured in a car or booster seat.
Funding for this program is 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: Deputy Claro Sanchez 

File # N/A

Details:

Plan Ahead This Holiday Season: Be Safe and Drive Sober

Palm Desert, Calif. – Millions of people will be traveling to visit friends and family over the holidays. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department/Palm Desert Station encourages everyone to celebrate safely and have a holiday game plan that includes a designated sober driver.

During the pre-Christmas and New Year’s holiday season Nov. 28-Dec. 13, The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department/Palm Desert Station will have additional deputies on patrol looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

“We want everyone to enjoy the holidays and be safe,” said Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Claro Sanchez said. “If you plan to go out and celebrate, make sure you plan ahead and find a safe, sober ride home because driving impaired should never be an option.”

Drunk driving is a problem on our nation’s roads every day, but it’s more prevalent during the holidays. During the 2016-2020 December months, there were more than 4,400 people killed in drunk-driving-related crashes.

Riverside County Sheriff’s Department/Palm Desert Station reminds drivers that a “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and marijuana can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs.

Funding for this program is 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