Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Deirdre Vickers
File # WI23365020
Update:
At 4:51 p.m., deputies from the Riverside Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit and Lake Elsinore Special Enforcement Team located two subjects in the Temecula area matching the description of the outstanding suspects. Deputies attempted a vehicle stop, but the vehicle failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated. The suspects ran from the vehicle but were later taken into custody without incident. One of the suspects had injuries consistent with the deputy-involved shooting that had occurred earlier in the day. They were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. There are no outstanding suspects. The identity of the suspects will not be released at this time. This is an ongoing investigation; no further details are available.
Details:
On Sunday, December 31, 2023, at 1:09 p.m., a Wildomar deputy assigned to the Riverside Sheriff’s Lake Elsinore Station located a stolen vehicle in the area of Cervera Road and Prairie Road, Wildomar. The deputy attempted a vehicle stop; however, the suspect failed to follow commands. The suspect vehicle made a U-turn and intentionally drove into the driver’s side door of the deputy’s vehicle, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. The deputy’s vehicle became disabled as a result of the collision.
The two occupants of the suspect vehicle ran northbound on Prairie Road toward Cervera Road, entered a silver Chevy Impala with license plate CA 7WLX269, and fled the scene. Witnesses described the first suspect as a 27–28-year-old thin-build Hispanic male, approximately 5’9”. He was last seen wearing a green hat, black hooded sweatshirt, and blue jeans. The second suspect was described as a 30-year-old Hispanic male approximately 5’3” or 5’4” heavy build. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and dark-colored jeans. He also has red lips tattooed on his right cheek.
The deputy sustained minor injuries during this incident. The suspects remain outstanding, and their injuries are unknown at this time. This is an ongoing investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
The involved deputy will be placed on paid administrative leave according to department policy. The name of the involved deputy will not be released at this time. Investigators from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office assigned to the Riverside Sheriff’s Force Investigations Detail will lead this investigation. This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Riverside County Senior District Attorney Investigator Eric Crosson or Riverside County Sheriff’s Master Investigator James Dickey at 951-955-2777.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the help of the public to identify and locate these two suspects. If you have any information on the whereabouts of the suspects or vehicle, please contact Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 951-776-1099. If there is an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
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