The incident occurred when officers conducted a traffic stop on a motorcyclist who was seen activating emergency lights and committing multiple vehicle code violations.

The rider, identified as Marshal Goodnight, was found wearing a uniform resembling that of a local law enforcement agency.

He was also equipped with a duty belt and what appeared to be a Glock-style pistol.

For officer safety, Goodnight was detained and disarmed.

A search revealed that Goodnight was carrying two taser electronic control devices, an ASP baton, and a container of OC Spray. Both electronic weapons were tested and found to be operational.

Officers confirmed that Goodnight is a convicted felon, legally prohibited from possessing firearms or related weapons, and not licensed to provide security services through California’s Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.

Goodnight was arrested and booked on several charges, including impersonating a law enforcement officer, possession of a stun gun, possession of tear gas, and possession of a dangerous weapon.

“We are committed to protecting our community and ensuring that law enforcement authority is never misrepresented,” said the Hemet Police Department.

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On Feb. 23, officers were dispatched to Sanderson and Stetson avenues in Hemet, where several motorists had reported panhandlers weaving through traffic, asking for donations, according to the Hemet Police Department.

The sign they carried displayed a heart-tugging photo of a teary-eyed boy with claims that he — a 10-year-old named Alex — had died in a traffic accident.

Officers watched the suspects via surveillance cameras and said they got into a vehicle while counting the money they collected. The vehicle was later located in the 100 block of North Sanderson Avenue, where officers conducted a traffic stop.

The driver, Marius Stan, and passenger, Malvina Stan, were questioned about the child on their sign but gave conflicting statements about his identity and supposed death, according to the department.

Police determined the pair had been collecting money fraudulently.

Further investigation revealed that the child’s picture had been taken from a 2011 Romanian news article. The article revealed that the child had not died in a car accident but had gone missing for a day before he was found safe at a local park.

Police also found multiple forms of identification, EBT cards, passports, and other evidence indicating a larger fraudulent operation, police said.

Both suspects were arrested and booked into a Riverside County jail on charges related to obtaining money under false pretenses. Authorities are continuing to investigate the scope of the scheme.

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The Riverside County Coroner’s Office identified Derek Holt, 40, of Hemet, as the victim killed in the deadly incident.

Shortly before 8 a.m., emergency officials arrived at the crash scene on Acacia Avenue just west of Kirby Street in Hemet, where a passenger vehicle had collided with a City of Hemet Public Works utility truck. Holt, a city employee, was struck while outside of his vehicle, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Jonathan Torres. He was found unresponsive at the scene as a result of the crash.

“Officers immediately began providing first aid, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries on the scene,” Torres said.

CHP assumed the investigation and arrested the driver—who remained at the scene—on suspicion of DUIs. The driver was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, awaiting formal charges, according to Torres.

During the incident, officers closed a section of Acacia Avenue, both east and westbound, between S. Sanderson Avenue and Kirby Street, which remained closed much of the day.

No further information was immediately available.

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Rusty Strait | Senior Reporter

Before I get started, something strange is going on at City Hall. Returning from a closed session to evaluate City Manager Chris Lopez’s performance, they never mentioned him but came out with “no action,” while at the same time announcing that Hemet’s Chief of Police, Eddie Pust would be the interim City Manager. Remember the last time when the City Manager was replaced by the interim City Manager, Police of Chief Dave Brown? Strange doings; indeed, Chief Pust is cracking down on vehicle violations. The Hemet Police Department recently placed extra officers on patrol, looking for violations made by vehicle drivers and motorcycle riders. Motor Cycles notoriously violate posted speeds, and make dangerous moves as they weave in and out lanes, endangering themselves and motorists alike.

Funding for the program is provided through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

May is National Bicycle Month and with summer and school out there are hundreds more bicycles on the streets every day, but especially on weekends. Both bikers, autos and trucks must understand the rules of sharing the road. One officer I spoke to said, “You may have the right away, but is it worth your life to take it when somebody else is hogging the road?”

Not to be left out, the violators of hands-free phone rules cause distractions from the road and cause death, injury and general mayhem. Also, stooping to retrieve a dropped phone in the car can result in serious injury, death or multiple collisions. The Hemet PD says, “Don’t do it. If we catch you at it, you will be cited. If you have an important or emergency call, pull over to the side of the road for it.” All you texters take note. Texting is far more distracting than talking on the phone because it takes your eyes off the road. Don’t do it.

Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

Faking a seat belt with the strap over your shoulder Instead of clicked in is also a no-no and the fuzz is wise to that also. So no-no-no.

Remember the Hemet Police Patrol has it’s eye on you. Be safe, not sorry. Just sayin’

rustystrait@gmail.com

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Hemet Police Investigations Bureau, Riverside District Attorney’s Office and Las Vegas Metro Police worked diligently in their efforts to identify, locate and apprehend two suspects in the murder of 46-year-old Wendy Lopez-Araiza, 21-year-old Genesis Lopez-Araiza, and 18-year-old Trinity Clyde. 20-year-old Jordan Guzman and 18-year-old Anthony McCloud are prime suspects in the triple homicide that has left family members, friends and the Hemet community shaken.

A press release was held Friday at City Council Chambers where Hemet’s Chief of Police, Eddie Pust, spoke on current details regarding the investigation and on behalf of the agencies involved, saying, “I’m extremely proud of the work they’ve done. The cooperation between the different agencies has led to apprehending these two suspects within 20 hours of the investigation, 250 miles away.”

On Wednesday, February 19, HPD, fire medics and ambulance arrived within 4 minutes of receiving the 911 call from the 1400 block of Rabbit Peak Way in Hemet, where they discovered three deceased females inside the home. While investigators have ruled out the use of a firearm, blunt force trauma and strangulation are evident in the murders, and authorities are still awaiting an official cause of death to be determined by Riverside County Coroner’s Office.

The resident and husband of one of the victims is reported to have made the 911 call upon returning from work and observed the suspects stealing and fleeing in Trinity Clyde’s vehicle.

The senseless murders are reported to have stemmed from a dispute over a rental agreement. Guzman had recently moved into the residence and her boyfriend, McCloud, was visiting on the day of the murders. Clyde also happened to be visiting that day as she was a family friend of Wendy and Genesis.

It is further reported that another family member, the oldest son, was in his room listening to music or watching a movie with headphones on as the murders were taking place.

During the investigation, information led authorities to Las Vegas where Las Vegas Metro Police Department observed the suspects leaving an apartment and entering the stolen vehicle. They were immediately taken into custody and the vehicle gathered for evidence. Both suspects are charged with 3 counts of murder and are currently being held at Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas – each on 2 million-dollar bail. Hemet District Attorney Office is currently working with Clark County to complete the extradition process which may take up to 3 weeks.

As the community tries to understand and heal from such a crime, authorities continue to seek justice for the family of the victims. Chief Pust echoes shared sentiment in saying, “We hope that with further investigation, that prosecution and conviction can provide some type of closure for the family members, the friends, and the community members this has affected.”

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