Rodolfo Garcia, 44, of Perris is charged with first-degree murder, four counts of armed robbery, three counts of kidnapping to commit robbery, two counts each of false imprisonment and firearm assault and one count each of burglary and carjacking.

Pretrial motions in the case wrapped up Thursday at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, where Riverside County Superior Court Judge Johnnetta Anderson ordered multiple panels of prospective jurors to appear Monday for the start of screening as to their availability and qualifications.

Garcia is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail.

His former co-defendant and friend from childhood, 34-year-old Jesus Ledesma Guzman of Lancaster, was similarly charged but was killed in a gunfight with U.S. Marshals trying to arrest him in Northern California almost eight years ago.

The men are accused of gunning down Silvano Gutierrez Esteves at his residence in February 2018.

According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office, the pair were allegedly part of a “home invasion robbery crew” composed of about a dozen men, who wore ballistic vests and masks, wielded high-capacity rifles and waged campaigns of terror against their targets throughout Southern California.

Guzman was believed to be the ringleader and buried at least five victims around his Lancaster property, according to the brief.

Nearly seven months before the slaying of Esteves, on July 17, 2017, the crew went to a Nuevo home where illegal marijuana was grown and forced their way into the residence in the middle of the night, leveling guns at the half-dozen occupants, including three children, ages 3 to 9 years old, the trial brief alleged.

One of the intruders threatened to rape the young girl in the house unless their demands for money and other valuables were met, according to court papers. Her two male siblings were wrested away from their parents and isolated in a room separate from the adults, who were told the youngsters would be abducted unless everyone cooperated, the brief said.

The robbery crew kicked, struck with rifle butts and shoved the victims to the floor, according to documents.

The victims didn’t resist, surrendering “over $10,000, two horse- mounting chairs, marijuana, a counting machine, a safe, super .38-caliber pistol, jewelry, a (pickup) truck and a van,” the brief said.

The loot was taken to Garcia’s house and divvied up, the prosecution alleged.

According to the brief, Garcia had been at odds with Esteves because the victim believed that the defendant had stolen “large quantities of marijuana” from him. The feud between the men ultimately led to Garcia and an unidentified man appearing in front of the victim’s Monroe Avenue house, brandishing handguns and threatening to kidnap him if he persisted in his antagonism, according to the brief.

A few weeks later, in the predawn hours of Feb. 5, 2018, Garcia and Guzman allegedly stormed the victim’s home, prompting Esteves to hide his wife and son in a closet while he attempted to negotiate with the pair, prosecutors said.

The D.A.’s office alleged the defendants ignored his pleas and “repeatedly shot him, then left without stealing a single item from the home.”

Sheriff’s Sgt. Walter Mendez said a “large amount of marijuana” was found at the location, but hadn’t been touched.

“There was no indication of a robbery, simply a premeditated home invasion assassination,” according to the brief.

Sheriff’s detectives ultimately gathered sufficient evidence pointing to Garcia’s alleged involvement, and by extension, Guzman’s. However, by that time, the latter was under investigation by authorities in Los Angeles County for alleged drug-related killings there, according to prosecutors.

Garcia was arrested without incident on Oct. 29, 2018, in Menifee.

Guzman was tracked down by federal agents in Inyo County, where they attempted to take him into custody for the Menifee killing, as well as killings in northern Los Angeles County, according to Mendez.

He said the fugitive opened fire on the agents, who returned fire and killed him.

Court records show Garcia has prior convictions for felony driving under the influence, auto theft and receiving stolen property.

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Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office responded around 10:23 p.m. to the 1300 block of Heron Way after receiving reports of an assault with a deadly weapon.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered evidence of a shooting and located a man suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to investigators, the homeowner had been visiting a nearby residence when he heard screams and gunshots coming from his own home. He immediately returned and encountered an unknown man inside the residence who was armed with a shotgun.

Sheriff’s officials said the homeowner armed himself and confronted the intruder. During the confrontation, the suspect allegedly fired several rounds at the homeowner, who returned fire, striking the intruder.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities said no other injuries were reported.

As part of the investigation, the homeowner was transported to the San Jacinto Sheriff’s Station for questioning. No arrests have been made.

The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of family members.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit is leading the investigation. Once completed, the case will be forwarded to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Investigator Cook at 951-955-2777 or San Jacinto Station Investigator Ghiliotty at 951-654-2702.

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The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office says a caller reported a man trying to break into their home in Lake Mathews on the 16000 block of Hidden Peak Lane.

The homeowner told dispatchers that they were armed with a firearm. The suspect, officials said, eventually forced his way inside and was shot.

Deputies arrived at the scene around 11 p.m. where they found the suspect suffering from his wounds. Paramedics responded and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Homicide detectives responded to the scene, and the homeowner was transported to the Lake Mathews Sheriff’s Station for “further investigation.”

Neither the suspect or the homeowner have been identified.

The investigation remains ongoing and is currently described as a homicide investigation, although the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office will ultimately decide if those charges are pursued.

Anyone with information related to the shooting is urged to contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

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A Jan. 10 trial date was scheduled Friday for a 23- year-old probationer accused of fatally beating a Riverside senior after breaking into her home.

Sixto Jesus Garcia Pena of Palm Springs was arrested in 2021 following a Riverside Police Department investigation into the slaying of 78-year-old Denise Irene Wong.

Pena is charged with first-degree murder, as well as special- circumstance allegations of killing in the commission of a robbery, killing in the commission of a burglary and inflicting torture.

Prosecutors intend to seek capital punishment if the defendant is convicted.

During a status hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice Friday, Superior Court Judge Matthew Perantoni conferred with the prosecution and defense regarding future proceedings, and both sides agreed to be prepared to move forward with trial at the beginning of next year.

An intervening hearing is set for Oct. 25 to confirm everything is on track.

Pena is being held without bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center.

Pena was located in mid-January 2021 at the Imperial County Jail, where he was awaiting adjudication of an unrelated attempted vehicle theft case, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Riverside police detectives served an arrest warrant there, then transferred him to the downtown Riverside jail.

According to Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback, Pena allegedly killed Wong in her single-story house in the 1200 block of East Manfield Street, near Masters Avenue, on Jan. 6, 2021.

“Denise was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, friend and a good and kind person,” police Chief Larry Gonzalez said after Pena’s arrest.

The victim had been a resident of the city for five decades.

Patrol officers were called to her home that evening after her loved ones requested a welfare check because she hadn’t responded to phone calls. She was found dead from injuries inflicted a few hours earlier, Railsback said.

He alleged Pena accessed the residence by breaking a rear window.

“Officers observed some items … out of place and consistent with a burglary,” the police spokesman said, adding that the victim’s car had been stolen.

Detectives confirmed the sedan was involved in a hit-and-run collision in Indio a few hours after the alleged break-in.

Indio police impounded the abandoned vehicle, and homicide investigators went to the impound yard, collecting evidence from the car that helped them identify Pena as the alleged assailant, Railsback said.

Three days later, with the help of the county’s Gang Impact Team, they confirmed Pena had been arrested in Imperial County, and arrangements were made for his transfer.

According to court records, Pena has prior convictions for child abuse, auto theft and receiving stolen property.

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File # MA233400060

Details:

On December 06, 2023, about 9:00 p.m., a home invasion robbery occurred in the 10800 block of Rosemary Way, Temescal Valley, resulting in a victim sustaining injuries. Lake Mathews Sheriff’s Station Investigators discovered a potential burglary crew was responsible for not only the home invasion robbery but also other residential burglaries in the Temescal Valley area.

On December 08, 2023, Lake Mathews deputies responded to the 11200 block of Jasmine Way, Temescal Valley, about another possible residential burglary. Once on scene, a suspect vehicle was identified and pursued to Lake Elsinore. As a result of the traffic stop, 20-year-old Jermaine Barnes Jr., a resident of Hemet, 19-year-old Larry Settles, a resident of Los Angeles, and 22-year-old Tionzae Mcgee-Beavers, a resident of Lake Elsinore, were detained.

A search of their vehicle and subsequent search warrants at their homes led to evidence and stolen property being recovered, tying these individuals to the home invasion robbery and residential burglaries. All three suspects were booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center Barnes and Mcgee-Beavers for two counts of first-degree robbery and burglary charges. Settles was booked in for burglary. This is an ongoing investigation. No further details are available at this time.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Investigator Yu #4732 at the Lake Mathews Station at 951–272–5600.

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

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File # MV231120022

Details:

On April 22, 2023, at 6:52 am, deputies from the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of a home invasion robbery in the 22000 Block of Climbing Rose Drive. The suspects left the location prior to deputies arriving. The victim, a 21-year-old, was uninjured during the incident. During the investigation, deputies learned two unknown suspects entered the residence, one armed with a knife and the other with a handgun demanding property. The investigation is ongoing and will be updated as information becomes available.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call the Moreno Valley Detective Bureau at (951)486–6700.

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

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post Home Invasion Robbery appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

File # MV230800206

Update:

On April 11, 2023, about 8:30 a.m., the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station’s Robbery Burglary Suppression Team (RBST) served a search warrant at an apartment in the 15000 block of Perris Boulevard, Moreno Valley. Property belonging to the victim was recovered at the location. A 17-year-old male juvenile was arrested without incident and later booked at the Crogan Youth Treatment and Education Center on charges related to the robbery.

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Deputy Julio Duran at the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station at 951-486-6700.

Details:

On March 21, 2023, about 6:30 PM, the Riverside Sheriff’s Moreno Valley Station deputies responded to a report of an armed home invasion robbery in the 15100 block of Perris Boulevard, Moreno Valley. A victim suffered a minor injury during the incident and was treated at the scene. The Moreno Valley Station’s Robbery Burglary Suppression Team (RBST) responded and assumed the investigation. This investigation is ongoing, and no additional information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Deputy Julio Duran at the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station at 951–486–6700.

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

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

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Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Robert Martinez

File # MV230800206

Details:

On March 21, 2023, about 6:30 PM, the Riverside Sheriff’s Moreno Valley Station deputies responded to a report of an armed home invasion robbery in the 15100 block of Perris Boulevard, Moreno Valley. A victim suffered a minor injury during the incident and was treated at the scene. The Moreno Valley Station’s Robbery Burglary Suppression Team (RBST) responded and assumed the investigation. This investigation is ongoing, and no additional information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Deputy Julio Duran at the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station at 951–486–6700.

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

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post Armed Home Invasion Robbery appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

File # PE221450179

Details:

On Wednesday, May 25, 2022, Perris Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to a home invasion robbery call located in the 3000 block of Avishan Drive, in the city of Perris. The reporting party stated a male suspect entered their residence with a handgun and pistol whipped and assaulted the homeowner demanding money. The homeowner was able to wrestle the gun away from the suspect during the assault. Deputies arrived and found the homeowner injured and bleeding, but was restraining the male suspect, later identified as 19-year-old Cameran Deneal. Deputies learned there were two females involved in the robbery that fled the scene prior to deputies arriving. Perris Traffic Motor units searched the neighborhood and located the females hiding nearby. The victim was transported to a local hospital for moderate head injuries, but will make a full recovery. The Perris Station’s Robbery/Burglary Suppression Team (RBST) assumed the investigation and processed the house for evidence and conducted interviews.

The Perris Station RBST learned during their investigation that the two female suspects were acquaintances of the homeowner. They made arrangements to come over to the residence to talk with the homeowner, but they planned to rob him when they arrived at his residence. One of the female suspects provided a false name and date of birth indicating she was an adult, but RBST discovered she was only a 16-year old juvenile. The second female suspect was identified as 19-year-old Elizabeth Gutierrez. Cameran Deneal and Elizabeth Gutierrez were booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center (CBDC) for several felonies. The 16-year-old female juvenile was booked into the Southwest Juvenile Hall for several felonies. This investigation is on-going. This home invasion robbery appears to be an isolated incident and does not appear to be related to any other home invasion robberies.

Anyone with additional information is urged to call Deputy Jimenez at Riverside County Sheriff’s dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or the Perris Station at (951) 210-1000.

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

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

The post Three Suspects Arrested in Home Invasion Robbery Investigation appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

CBSLA | Contributed

Two suspects armed with handguns broke into a Riverside home Tuesday morning, robbed the female resident and fled the scene located in the 1500 block of Kyle Court, in the Sycamore Canyon area.

This is the fourth home invasion robbery in the city in a month a half, and residents in Crystal Ridge Estates said they’re officially launching a neighborhood watch. The police chief has also said catching the suspects are the their number one priority.

“Excellent neighborhood, we love it here, but as of late, as you know, we’ve had some issues,” said Greg Chewe.

The first of the four home invasion robberies happened on April 10. A second one occurred on May 10, where an entire family on Ashton Lane was bound by duct tape and locked in the bathroom. Then, on May 15, in another incident a resident on Moss Road was shot multiple times.

The female resident robbed Tuesday morning lives in a different area of the city. She was not physically injured during the incident.

“I’m praying for those folks. It’s sad, but at least we are going to do something about it now,” Chewe said.

The victims of the second robbery, who were bound with duct tape, spoke with CBSLA off camera and said they are recovering emotionally. They added that they also happen to be friends with the third victim who was shot and is now in stable condition.

On Monday night, residents attended an emergency neighborhood meeting hosted by the Riverside Police Department. Chief Larry Gonzalez, who also lives in Riverside, assured residents that the department has increased its police presence.

“We’re actually getting more officers on the beat to where they can do the extra patrols, and not just in one area, but throughout the whole city,” Chief Gonzalez said.

The police chief on Tuesday addressed the city council on the progress of the investigation. Though there are similarities in some of the incidents, detectives are not saying if the four robberies are connected.

In the meantime, Chief Gonzalez strongly recommended that residents double check their lights and security systems, and get to know their neighbors.

“We are not going to stop. We will be relentless until we get these guys in custody,” the chief said.

Find your latest news here at the Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle

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