Riverside Sheriff Feed

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Mariano Matos III

File # Y222630030

Details:

Francisco Romero

On September 20, 2022, at 1:30 P.M., members of the Coachella Community Action Team (CCAT) attempted to stop a grey sedan in the area of Avenue 54 and Cesar Chavez Street in Coachella, due to erratic driving. Based on the suspect’s driving actions, CCAT members believed the driver was operating a motor vehicle while impaired. The vehicle failed to stop for deputies and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. The pursuit lasted less than one minute and ended when the suspect vehicle stopped in a dirt lot at Shady Lane and Avenida Del Prado. The driver, Francisco Romero, a 44-year-old resident of Coachella, was detained without incident. Romero was found to have an active felony warrant for narcotic sales and appeared to be under the influence of narcotics. The investigation revealed Romero discarded a loaded handgun and two extended magazines during the pursuit. The items were located and seized. Romero was booked at the John Benoit Detention Center for driving under the influence, evading arrest, felon in possession of a loaded firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, and a felony warrant.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy Piscatella or Deputy Perez of the Thermal Station at 760–863–8990 or Crime Stoppers at 760–341-STOP (7867).

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

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant David Aldrich

File # Y221380017

Details:

Richard Beltran Ortega

On May 18, 2022, at 9:46 AM, Thermal Station patrol deputies responded to the 83800 block of Airport Boulevard in Thermal, reference a 15-year-old female that was sexually assaulted by an 18-year-old Hispanic male. The investigation revealed that on May 17, 2022, the victim was being driven home from school by an 18-year-old male. During the ride home, the 18-year-old male sexually assaulted the victim in his vehicle. The victim struggled to exit the vehicle, but was unable to do so. The victim was subsequently taken to another location and sexually assaulted two additional times before being able to escape. The victim reported the incident to law enforcement and was taken to a local hospital where she received treatment for her injuries. The investigation was assumed by the Thermal Station Investigations Bureau. During the investigation, the suspect was positively identified as Richard Beltran Ortega, an 18-year-old resident of Indio.

On September 21, 2022, at 3:00 PM, Beltran Ortega was located at a residence in the 83100 block of Albion Drive in the city of Indio. Beltran Ortega was taken into custody without incident. Beltran Ortega was booked at the John Benoit Detention Center for kidnapping with the intent of committing a sexual act, false imprisonment, and additional sexual related crimes.

The Thermal Station Investigations Bureau is asking anyone with additional information to contact Investigator Torres of the Thermal Sheriff’s Station by calling 760- 863-8461. 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.

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Reporting Deputy: Corporal Phillip Lorton

File # LA222640053

Details:

Eddie Ramirez

On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at 6:28 PM, deputies from the Thermal Station responded to a robbery that occurred at a business in the 79200 block of Highway 111 in the city of La Quinta. An adult male suspect snatched a fearful victim’s purse and stole it.

During the investigation, deputies identified the suspect as Eddie Ramirez, a 40-year-old resident of Thousand Palms. On Friday, September 23, 2022, members of the La Quinta Special Enforcement Team located Ramirez in the 82100 block of Indio Boulevard in the city of Indio and was taken into custody without incident. The stolen property was found in Ramirez’s possession and recovered.

Ramirez has been linked to multiple purse thefts in the cities of La Quinta, Palm Desert, and the unincorporated area of Bermuda Dunes. Property related to those thefts was also found in Ramirez’s possession and recovered.

Ramirez was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for robbery and multiple outstanding warrants.

Anyone with information about this investigation is urged to contact Deputy Ortiz or Deputy Martinez of the Thermal Station at 760-863-8990.

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

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Richard Carroll

File # SC222720002

Update:

Erik Martinez

The victim has been identified as 39-year-old Ulyses Munoz Ayala.  The investigation is ongoing.

Details:

On Thursday, September 29, 2022, at 4:21 PM, deputies from the Cois Byrd Detention Center were notified of an unresponsive inmate. Deputies and jail medical staff immediately assessed the inmate and initiated medical aid while waiting for paramedics. Despite life-saving actions, paramedics pronounced the inmate deceased.

Injuries were observed on the inmate. Deputies secured the area and began an investigation. Investigators from the Corrections Intelligence Bureau and Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation. The identity of the decedent is being withheld pending notification to the family.

The investigation revealed that the decedent died after an altercation with another inmate. A suspect has been identified as 30-year-old Erik Martinez. Homicide charges were added, and Martinez will remain in custody.

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

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

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Kyle LaFond

File # LA222660069

Details:

On Friday, September 23, 2022, La Quinta deputies responded to a major injury traffic collision involving a golf cart just before 8:30 pm. The collision occurred on Shoal Creek Street, south of Riviera Street within the PGA West community in the city of La Quinta. One person was transported to a local hospital with major injuries. The cause of the traffic collision is still under investigation. At this time, deputies do not believe drugs or alcohol were factors in the collision.

Anyone with information on this collision is encouraged to call Deputy Yoo of the Thermal Sheriff’s Station by calling (760) 863-8990.

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

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Reporting Deputy: Correctional Captain Victoria Varisco-Flores

File # RC222860001

Details:

On Thursday, October 13, 2022, at 4:38 AM, deputies assigned to the Robert Presley Detention Center responded to the cell of an unresponsive female inmate due to a medical emergency. Custody staff and jail medical staff immediately attempted life-saving measures. American Medical Response and Riverside Fire Department personnel also arrived and assumed life-saving measures. Ultimately, paramedics from Riverside Fire Department pronounced the female inmate deceased at 5:10 A.M. The inmate was in the custody of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for two days and had a history of medical problems.

Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigators responded and assumed the investigation. The cause of death will later be determined by the Coroner’s Bureau. The identification of the victim will not be released at this time pending notification to the next of kin. There are no signs of foul play and due to the ongoing status of the investigation, no further information is available at this time. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Investigator Layos of the Corrections Division at (951) 922-7152.

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

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Brandi Swan

File # B223160023

Details:

On Saturday, November 12, 2022, about 3:30 PM, a deputy from the Cabazon Sheriff’s Station conducted a traffic enforcement stop of a male suspect on Carmen Avenue west of Rafael Street in Cabazon. The suspect was riding a bicycle on the wrong side of the street and known to have a felony arrest warrant for a violation of parole. The suspect was uncooperative with the deputy and attempted to flee the scene on his bicycle. The deputy tried to detain the suspect, but the suspect removed a large knife from his pocket and a deputy involved shooting occurred. The suspect was shot and fell to the ground.

After the suspect was shot, the deputy rendered aid and medical personnel were called. Paramedics from Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department arrived at the location and pronounced the suspect deceased at the scene.

The identity of the suspect will not be released at this time, pending next of kin notification. No deputies were injured during this incident and there are no outstanding suspects. The knife used by the suspect was recovered at the location. The involved deputy will be placed on paid administrative leave according to Department policy. The name of the involved deputy will also 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 Riverside County District Attorney Investigator Felipe Munoz or Riverside County Sheriff’s Investigator Jarred Bishop at 951-955-2777.

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

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Matthew Allert

File # Y222670026

Details:

 Jose J. Lopez Jr.

On September 25, 2022, at 1:25 AM, Thermal Station deputies were involved in a vehicle pursuit with Jose J. Lopez Jr. in the 47000 block of Indio Blvd. in the city of Indio. Lopez was wanted for several felony charges, including stalking, domestic violence, and criminal threats. During the vehicle pursuit, Lopez used his vehicle to ram pursuing Sheriff’s vehicles. At the conclusion of the vehicle pursuit, Lopez lost control of his vehicle and collided with a fence, disabling his vehicle. Lopez fled on foot and was apprehended with the assistance of Riverside County Sheriff’s Service Dog. Lopez was arrested and booked at the John Benoit Detention Center for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, felony evading, stalking, domestic violence, and criminal threats.

Anyone with additional information on this investigation is urged to contact Deputy Martin of the Thermal Station by calling 760- 863-8990. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Valley Crimestoppers at (760) 341-7867.

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

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Reporting Deputy: Lieutenant Andy Martinez

File # LA222690071

Details:

On Monday, September 26, 2022, at 7:36 PM, deputies assigned to the Thermal Station responded to an assault with a handgun inside a residence in the 78800 block of W. Harland Drive in La Quinta. On arrival, deputies located two victims with minor injuries and determined that no one had been shot, but a struggle over a gun between family members resulted in its discharge within the home. Deputies began negotiations with the suspect, but he refused to exit and surrender. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team responded and assumed tactical command of the incident, which prompted evacuations of neighboring homes and closures of surrounding roadways. Negotiations and efforts for a safe surrender continued for several hours. At 1:00 AM, the SWAT team entered the home and found the suspect deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

All persons involved in this incident are identified and no additional suspects are being sought. Any and all events leading up to this incident are believed to have occurred within the home and within the family unit. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contract Deputy J. Lee of the Thermal Station at (760) 863-8990.

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

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