The suspects were identified as Kenny Andrew Johnson, 40, of Riverside, and Alonzo Jeffery Monk Jr., 43, of Colton, according to the Riverside Police Department.

On Sept. 29, officers responded to an automotive business in the 2900 block of Orange Street around 4:30 a.m. after a woman said her boyfriend had been shot.

Police found the victim, Horacio Montero Jr., 27, of Riverside, suffering from gunshot wounds inside a trailer. He was rushed to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.

The suspects fled the scene before authorities arrived. Following an investigation, Johnson was identified as a suspect and arrested a few hours later.

Detectives later determined the shooting was a murder-for-hire case involving a second suspect, Monk Jr. On Oct. 2, he was located and arrested in Colton.

Police believe Johnson conspired with Monk Jr. to have the victim killed; however, the motive behind the murder remains unclear. Police told the Press-Enterprise that they believe Monk was the one who fired the deadly shots.

Both men were arrested for murder and conspiracy to commit murder and are being held without bail.

No further details were released as the case remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact Detective Richard Glover at 951-353-7134 or RGlover@RiversideCA.gov, or Detective Anthony Watkins at 951-353-7105 or AWatkins@RiversideCA.gov.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Riverside Police Department’s “Atlas 1” mobile app by using the “Send a Message” feature.

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The Santa Barbara County, Calif., Sheriff’s Office said it arrested two suspects this month after they were tracked down using an Apple AirTag that the victim mailed to herself in hopes of catching the thieves who kept stealing her mail.

Deputies said they responded to a call on the morning of Aug. 19 for a report of a mail theft that had just taken place at the Los Alamos, Calif., Post Office, according to the release.

When they arrived, deputies discovered that the woman — who was not identified by authorities — had recently had mail stolen from her post office box, the sheriff’s office said.

So, to take matters into her own hands, she mailed herself a package with an AirTag inside it.

Once her mail was stolen again that morning, with the AirTag included in the package, she quickly contacted the police, the department said.

Authorities were able to track the AirTag and the suspects in Santa Maria, Calif. Officials said they found the woman’s mail — including the package containing the AirTag — in addition to other items that police believe were stolen from more than a dozen victims.

Deputies located and arrested Virginia Franchessca Lara, 27, and Donald Ashton Terry, 37, in connection with the crime, the department said. Lara was booked on several felonies — including possession of checks with intent to commit fraud, fictitious checks, identity theft, credit card theft, and conspiracy, the department said.

Jail records show she was held on a $50,000 bond.

Terry was booked and faces charges related to burglary, possession of checks with intent to commit fraud, credit card theft, identity theft, and conspiracy. The department said he was also booked on several theft-related warrants from Riverside County, Calif.

Terry was being held on a $460,000 bond, according to jail records.

Attorneys representing the two suspects did not respond to NPR’s immediate request for comment regarding their arrests.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office thanked the victim for taking a “proactive approach” to locating her stolen mail and for not attempting to confront the suspects herself. The case, according to authorities, remains under investigation as they continue to identify other victims.

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File # O240180003

Details:

On January 18, 2024, at 3:50 a.m., deputies responded to a burglary alarm in the 38000 block of El Viento, Thousand Palms. Upon arrival, they saw the business sustained significant damage to the front exterior of the business. After reviewing the surveillance video, it was discovered a white Kia Optima was observed driving into the doors of the business; however, it did not make entry.

Deputies conducted saturation patrol within the Palm Desert area and located the white Kia Optima. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, and a pursuit ensued. The pursuit concluded when the vehicle collided with a fence. Three suspects fled from the vehicle but were located and arrested. The three suspects were later identified as Terijon Wilkerson, a 20-year-old resident of Victorville, Kyvon Payne, an 18-year-old resident of Boron, and a juvenile.

At 4:31 a.m., deputies were notified of a collision in the 72000 block of Adelaid Street Thousand Palms. Upon arrival, a disabled black Hyundai Sonata was located at the business and had attempted to ram the entrance but could not gain entry. After further investigation, it was determined that the Kia and Hyundai were associated with each other. It was later discovered that both vehicles had been stolen from San Bernardino. This investigation is ongoing; deputies are still working to determine if there are any outstanding suspects. No additional details are available.

Wilkerson and Payne were booked for burglary at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio. The Juvenile was also booked on burglary charges at Juvenile Hall.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact Deputy Lara of the Palm Desert Station’s Burglary Suppression Unit at (760) 836-1600.

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

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File: TE232040022

Details:

On July 23, 2023, the Riverside Sheriff’s Southwest Station deputies responded to a business in the 39000 block of Winchester Road in the City of Temecula regarding a past burglary. Deputies learned multiple suspects entered the business after hours and stole several bottles of high-end alcohol.

The Southwest Station’s Robbery/Burglary Suppression Team (RBST) assumed the investigation and began following all leads. On September 17, 2023, an additional burglary occurred at the same business, targeting the same product with similar suspect descriptions. RBST learned the same suspects also burglarized several other businesses throughout Riverside County and surrounding counties within the same time frame. On September 24, 2023, several additional burglaries occurred at pharmacies throughout the Southern California region, where suspects matching the same description stole numerous bottles of medication.

RBST began collaborating with several allied agencies and loss prevention partners across Southern California to determine the extent and number of incidents for which this organized retail crew was responsible. The investigation revealed the suspects stole over $200,000 of high-end alcohol and prescription medication and caused over $50,000 in damages during the burglaries. It was also learned the suspects were associated with a Los Angeles-based gang and were selling the stolen items for profit. The suspects are responsible for approximately 40 burglaries.

After an extensive investigation spanning several months and using several investigative resources and agencies, RBST was able to positively identify four of the suspects as 24-year-old Aaron Kincy, a resident of Los Angeles, 24-year-old Corey Christopher, 23-year-old Rasheed Reed, and 23-year-old Armaun Yerger, all residents of Compton.

On December 21, 2023, RBST, with the assistance of several additional teams, served search warrants in the 100 block of 91st Street in Los Angeles, the 4000 block of Nicolet Avenue in Los Angeles, and the 13000 block of South Largo Avenue in Compton. During the search, deputies located several items of evidentiary value connecting all suspects to the string of burglaries, including clothing, several bottles of stolen prescription medication, and high-end alcohol. There were also six firearms recovered during the operation, which included unserialized guns and a firearm with an altered serial number. Aaron Kincy and Corey Christopher were located and arrested during the service of the search warrants. An additional subject, 20-year-old Kamron Williams of Compton, was also arrested for violating probation.

Aaron Kincy and Corey Christopher were booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for several counts of organized retail theft, grand theft, burglary, and possession of a controlled substance for sale. Kincy is being held on $1,000,000 bail, and Christopher is being held on $500,000 bail. Reed and Yerger are already in custody, and additional warrants were issued for their involvement in this case. This is an ongoing investigation. No further details are available at this time.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has zero tolerance for these offenses. We will continue to work proactively with our allied agencies, loss prevention partners, and the District Attorney’s Office to combat organized retail crime.

Anyone with additional information about this case is encouraged to contact Investigator Jeffrey Andrews of the Southwest Station RBST Team at (951) 696–3000.

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

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File # Multiple File Numbers

Details:

On Tuesday, December 20 , 2023, deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s– Lake Elsinore Robbery-Burglary Suppression Team and Special Enforcement Team conducted an enforcement operation aimed at combating retail theft at a business located in the 29000 block of Central Avenue, in the city of Lake Elsinore. The purpose of the operation was to identify and arrest retail theft offenders. Deputies partnered with loss prevention staff during the operation, which resulted in the arrests of six suspects for various criminal charges. Stolen property was recovered, and criminal offenders were booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center.

The following subjects were arrested during the operation:

• Joseph Gordon, 34-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore for shoplifting and probation violation
• Patrick Graham, 54-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore for burglary and conspiracy
• Lilia Navarro, 57-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore for burglary and conspiracy
• Kellie Nelson, 41-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore for narcotics-related misdemeanor warrants
• Robert Ruiz, 41-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore for burglary and 6 additional felony warrants
• Ashley McMillan, 38-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore for narcotics-related misdemeanor warrants

The Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station takes all crime seriously and will continue these operations throughout the year to combat theft in the community in order to protect businesses and its customers. Anyone with information regarding the arrests associated with this operation is encouraged to contact Deputy Noel at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station, at (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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File # EV233250061

Details:

On November 21, 2023, about 9:25 p.m., deputies from the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station responded to a business, located in the 12000 block of Limonite Avenue, Eastvale regarding a robbery that occurred at a local grocery store.

Upon arrival, deputies learned the suspect approached an employee inside the location and stole an undisclosed amount of money. The suspect fled from the store to an awaiting white 4-door Volkswagen, which was occupied by another subject.

Deputies, with the assistance of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit, immediately conducted an extensive search for the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was located in the 6000 block of Fairlane Avenue, Eastvale and two subjects believed to be involved in the robbery were located at a residence.

Sheriff’s Investigators responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. A search warrant was served at a residence and evidence of the crime, including the majority of the stolen money, was recovered.

Investigators conducted multiple interviews, recovered additional evidence during this investigation, and ultimately arrested Charles Sanford, Jr., a 27 year-old resident of Rialto, and Elijah Tucker, a 26 year-old resident of San Bernardino for robbery and conspiracy. They were both booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center.

Anyone with information related to this crime is encouraged to contact Investigator M. Barros at 951-955-2600.

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

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File# T232620060

Details:

On September 19, 2023, at 4:05 p.m., the Sheriff’s Palm Desert Station deputies responded to a business in the 72300 block of Highway 111 in the City of Palm Desert regarding the grand theft of various high-end items valued at approximately $10,000. Upon arrival, deputies learned two Hispanic male adults entered the business, placed several items into shopping bags, and exited the business without paying. The suspects then fled in a white colored sedan driven by a third Hispanic male.

Deputies from the Palm Desert Special Enforcement Team and the Rancho Mirage Special Enforcement Team responded to the area and located the suspect vehicle. After a short pursuit, the vehicle yielded, and the three suspects were arrested without incident. The three suspects were identified as Saliba Deeb, a 30-year-old resident of Palm Desert; Mariano Flores, a 30-year-old resident of Indio; and Arturo Sanchez, a 40-year-old resident of Indio. Deputies recovered the stolen items from inside of the suspect vehicle. All three suspects will be booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for organized retail theft, possession of stolen property, evading, and conspiracy.

Anyone with information regarding the theft is encouraged to contact Deputy Robles at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at 760-836-1600.

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

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File # EV232210067

Details:

On August 9, 2023, at 7:17 p.m., deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 7600 block of Soaring Bird Court, Eastvale, for an arson investigation. On arrival, deputies discovered a small structure engulfed in flames and three juvenile suspects were seen running from the scene. A coordinated effort between responding deputies and personnel assigned to the Sheriff’s Aviation Unit resulted in the arrests of all three suspects. Cal Fire responded and extinguished the flames. Deputies discovered the structure had been completely charred and a total loss. All three suspects were booked into juvenile hall for arson and conspiracy to commit arson.

Anyone with further information about this case is encouraged to call Deputy Guerrero at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station by calling 951-955-2600.

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. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909) 987-5005.

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

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File # EV232190025

Details:

On August 7, 2023, deputies assigned to the city of Eastvale Special Enforcement Team (SET) responded to the parking lot of a business located in the 5000 block of Hamner Avenue, in Eastvale, to investigate a robbery. Deputies learned two suspects, later identified as Petre Alexandru, a 27- year-old resident of Romania and Gratiela Stoian, a 22-year-old resident of Romania, lured an elderly victim toward them to have a conversation. During the interaction, the suspects distracted the victim and robbed him of jewelry he was wearing. The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle.

Through several investigative means, SET deputies learned the couple was responsible for a similar incident in Vancouver, Canada. Deputies identified both suspects and the vehicle used in the crime. Deputies coordinated an apprehension of the suspects with the Palm Springs Police Department. Both suspects were ultimately arrested in the city of Palm Springs. A search of the vehicle resulted in the finding of multiple necklaces, rings, watches and bracelets possibly belonging to other unidentified victims.

Both Alexandru and Stoian were subsequently transported and booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center for robbery, elder abuse, and conspiracy to commit a crime. Alexandru and Stoian are currently pending a $500,000.00 bail.

It is believed these suspects have been involved in similar incidents. Anyone with information on this case or who may have been a victim to these suspects is encouraged to call Deputy Morris at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station by calling 951-955-6006.

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. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909) 987-5005.

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

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File # MV232110153

Details:

On July 30, 2023, at 2:33 p.m., deputies assigned to the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station responded to a business in the 12600 block of Frederick Street, in the City of Moreno Valley, reference a theft from a beauty supply retailer. The suspects walked into the store, filled three shopping baskets with beauty supply items and left the store with approximately $2,000 worth of product without paying. The reporting party provided a description of the three female adults, in addition to their vehicle, a silver Kia Optima. Working jointly with local agencies, deputies located the suspect vehicle traveling on the 215 freeway towards the City of San Bernardino. An enforcement stop was conducted, leading to the identification and arrest of 20-year-old Ja’Nique Thomas, 27-year-old Juanesha Ables, and 21-year-old MyLonnie Harris. All three suspects are residents of San Bernardino and were in possession of the stolen merchandise. Thomas, Ables, and Harris were subsequently booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center for felony charges related to grand theft and conspiracy.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Deputy Muro at the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station by calling (951) 486-6700.

Organized retail crime refers to large-scale theft and fraud by individuals or groups who steal retail goods from a retail supply chain with the intent to resell, distribute, or return stolen merchandise for financial gain.

As a reminder, “Community Policing” involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owner 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. Criminal activity can also be reported through the We-Tip Crime Reporting Hotline, (909) 987-5005.

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

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