Gunfire traps 4 Riverside police inside house
RIVERSIDE, 4:18 a.m. Jan. 7 (Associated Press)
Four Riverside police officers were trapped inside a house but escaped unharmed after they were fired on while trying to conduct a probation search at a home in a gated community.
Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Dennis Guttierez says the suspected gunman –33-year-old Joe Armenta – remained barricaded inside the house in unincorporated Jurupa for about six hours before surrendering Wednesday morning.
More Temecula/Riverside News
RIVERSIDE, 2:23 p.m. Jan. 6 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Board puts more bite into anti-barking ordinance: The Riverside County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved an anti-nuisance measure aimed at silencing noisy dogs by slapping their owners with fines that can go as high as $500. TEMECULA, 11:26 a.m. Jan. 6 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Brothers suspected of attempted burglary freed on bail: Two brothers who allegedly tried to steal power generators from several recreational vehicles parked at a Temecula business were free Tuesday on $5,000 bail.
RIVERSIDE, 4:36 a.m. Jan. 6 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Riverside County ordinance would fine owners of noisy dogs: Following a public hearing, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors is expected to approve Tuesday an anti-nuisance ordinance aimed at silencing noisy dogs by slapping their owners with fines that can range as high as $500.
PALM SPRINGS, 3:59 a.m. Jan. 6 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Palm Springs may allow medical marijuana dispensaries: Palm Springs could be the first city in Riverside County to allow medical marijuana dispensaries if approved by city council members Tuesday night. TEMECULA, 4:48 p.m. Jan. 5 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Murder charges filed in fatal stabbing outside bar: Murder and other charges were filed Monday against three San Diego men – one of whom remains at large – in the stabbing death of a pastor's son and the wounding of another man outside a Temecula bar.
MURRIETA, 12:44 p.m. Jan. 5 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Before trial, teens admit taking part in French Valley drive-by: With their trial was set to begin Monday, two teenagers admitted taking part in a non-injury drive-by shooting targeting a French Valley boy in his home, and to possible penalty-enhancement counts of using a firearm and doing it for the benefit of a gang.
TEMECULA, 12:42 p.m. Jan. 5 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Police: Brothers broke into RV sales lot, tried to steal generators: Two brothers allegedly broke into a recreational vehicle sales lot in Temecula and tried to steal power generation units from several RVs, Riverside County sheriff's authorities said Monday. RIVERSIDE, 2:02 p.m. Jan. 5 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
CHP arrests 26 DUI suspects over holiday: California Highway Patrol Officers nabbed 26 DUI suspects in the Riverside area during its New Year's holiday maximum-enforcement period, down about 41 percent from the 44 such arrests made during the same period a year earlier, the agency reported Monday.
RIVERSIDE, 7:26 a.m. Jan. 5 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Gas prices rise for seventh straight day: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in the Inland Empire rose Monday for the seventh consecutive day and 19th time in the past 20 days, increasing two-tenths of a cent to $1.827.
RIVERSIDE, 1:02 p.m. Jan. 4 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Autopsy scheduled on hunter who died in frigid Anza pond: With the sun setting New Year's Day, firefighters in coldwater rescue gear searched frantically for a hunter last seen alive in an frigid pond in rural Anza. But it took two more days for sheriff's divers to find and recover the man's body, authorities said Sunday.
HEMET, 1:50 p.m. Jan. 3 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Officer prevents man from possibly killing himself: A Hemet police officer helped convince a man with a large steak knife to change his mind about killing himself, a police sergeant said Saturday.
PERRIS, 1:30 p.m. Jan. 3 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Suspected drunken driver may face manslaughter charges: A suspected drunken driver accused of causing a New Year's Day crash that claimed the lives of his passenger and another motorist in the Perris area may face manslaughter charges, authorities said Saturday. RIVERSIDE, 6:45 a.m. Jan. 3 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Gas prices here still climbing: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in the Inland Empire rose Saturday for the 17th time in the past 18 days, increasing six-tenths of a cent to $1.81. RIVERSIDE, 8:38 a.m. Jan. 2 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Wrong way driver, 17, dies in I-215 crash: A 17-year-old boy driving a pickup truck the wrong way on Interstate 215 died in a fiery collision with a sedan that left seven people hurt, officials said today. COACHELLA, 8:40 a.m. Jan. 2 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Coachella DUI checkpoint planned tonight: Police will be looking for drunken drivers in Coachella tonight, but they aren't saying where.
RIVERSIDE, 2:52 a.m. Jan. 1 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Gas prices rising slowly: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in the Inland Empire rose Thursday for the 15th time in the past 16 days, increasing six-tenths of a cent to $1.802.
RIVERSIDE, 8:14 a.m. Jan. 1 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
First babies born in county: A baby girl born at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Riverside 12:55 a.m. Thursday was among the first born in the Inland Empire this year.
RIVERSIDE, 3:20 a.m. Jan. 1 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Court and government offices closed for holiday: Courts and most municipal offices in Riverside County will be closed Thursday for the New Year's holiday.
TEMECULA, 1:58 p.m. Dec. 31 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Two arrested in fatal stabbing of pastor's son: Two men were behind bars and a third person was being sought Wednesday in connection with the stabbing death of a pastor's son and the wounding of another man during a melee outside a Temecula bar.
RIVERSIDE, 1:44 p.m. Dec. 31 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Teen shoots homeless man with paintball – in front of undercover cops: A 16-year-old boy shot a homeless man with a paintball gun in front of a pair of undercover cops, Riverside police said Wednesday. MORENO VALLEY, 9:56 a.m. Dec. 31 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Stolen items, jewelry cache found at Moreno Valley home: Computers, digital cameras, video games, MP3 players, jewelry and watches were among the suspected stolen items found at a Moreno Valley home, authorities reported Wednesday.
PALM SPRINGS, 8:19 a.m. Dec. 31 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Zero tolerance for revelers shooting guns into the air: New Year's revelers around the county caught shoot into the sky tonight should plan on spending the beginning of 2009 in jail, police said.
8:14 a.m. Dec. 31 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Inland Empire gasoline price increases again: RIVERSIDE (CNS) - The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in the Inland Empire rose today for the 14th time in the past 15 days, increasing a half-cent to $1.796.
RIVERSIDE, 1:24 p.m. Dec. 30 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Countywide DUI crackdown nets 365 arrests: A countywide law enforcement operation to catch drunken drivers netted 365 arrests over the last 2½ weeks, Riverside County authorities reported Tuesday.
WILDOMAR, 5:14 a.m. Dec. 30 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Three Wildomar robbers sought: Authorities sought the public's help Tuesday in nabbing three bandits, including two caught on surveillance video robbing a Circle K Store in Wildomar.
MURRIETA, 2:46 p.m. Dec. 29 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Jurors begin second week of deliberations to decide if killer is retarded: Jurors trying to determine whether a convicted killer facing the death penalty is legally retarded entered their second week of deliberations Monday.
RIVERSIDE, 5:28 a.m. Dec. 30 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Gas prices begin to rise: The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in the Inland Empire resumed increasing Tuesday, rising eight-tenths of a cent to $1.791, a day after a 12-day streak of rising prices ended when the price was unchanged. RIVERSIDE, 12:40 p.m. Dec. 29 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Prelim postponed for man accused of child-molesting: A preliminary hearing for a Cherry Valley man accused of molesting female relatives and taking obscene photographs with a toddler was postponed Monday because the man's attorney was tied up on another case. RIVERSIDE, 7:06 a.m. Dec. 29 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Gas prices level off after rising: A 12-day streak of rising prices for self-serve regular unleaded gasoline in the Inland Empire ended Monday as the price remained unchanged at $1.783.
TEMECULA, 8:42 a.m. Dec. 28 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Wildomar church mourning violent death of pastor's son: Members of a large Wildomar church are Sunday mourning the death of the founding pastor's son, who was stabbed to death outside a Temecula sports bar.
LAKE ELSINORE, 1:29 p.m. Dec. 28 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Seven arrested over holiday at Elsinore checkpoint: Seven people got locked up for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs during a crackdown that ended early Sunday, according to a police sergeant. MORENO VALLEY, 11:16 a.m. Dec. 28 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
March Air Base resident killed in one-car crash: A resident of March Air Reserve Base died Sunday after he smashed his speeding vehicle into a parked car on Elder Avenue one block north of the Moreno Valley (60) Freeway, according to the coroner.
MURRIETA, 10:25 a.m. Dec. 24 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Two suspected of robbing Murrieta woman are arrested: Two men suspected of robbing a woman at gunpoint as she returned home from gambling at the Pechanga casino were in custody Wednesday, a sergeant said.
MURRIETA, 12:48 p.m. Dec. 24 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)No verdict again in hammer-killing case: Jurors deciding if a convicted killer facing the death penalty is legally retarded completed a half-day of deliberations Wednesday without reaching a verdict. RIVERSIDE, 1:36 p.m. Dec. 24 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Fugitive wanted on lewd-acts charges found in Philippines: A 59-year-old Riverside County man wanted on three dozen charges of lewd acts on a child was tracked down in the Philippines, arrested and returned to Riverside, authorities said Wednesday.
RIVERSIDE, 2:11 p.m. Dec. 23 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Riverside County home sales soar; median price plunges: Home sales soared by 196.6 percent in the Riverside/San Bernardino area in November, compared with the same period a year ago, while the median home price fell 41.2 percent to $202,740, according to figures released Tuesday.
MURRIETA, 9:48 a.m. Dec. 23 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Possible jury deadlock in Elsinore hammer killing: Jurors charged with deciding if a convicted killer facing the death penalty is legally retarded indicated they may be deadlocked Tuesday. MURRIETA, 12:02 p.m. Dec. 23 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Man to be arraigned in Promenade robbery: A reputed Los Angeles gang member suspected in a robbery that occurred earlier this month at The Promenade in Temecula mall is expected be arraigned Wednesday in Murrieta. RIVERSIDE, 1:55 p.m. Dec. 23 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Supervisors OK homeowner-education program: The Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved plans Tuesday for a county-sponsored program to educate homeowners about how to stave off foreclosure and inform property owners about the need to maintain vacant or abandoned homes.
BEVERLY HILLS, 3:17 p.m. Dec. 22 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
County fire official says dog beating was in self-defense: A Los Angeles County assistant fire chief charged with animal cruelty for beating a Riverside County neighbor's puppy so badly that it had to be euthanized insisted Monday he was acting in self-defense.
MURRIETA, 4:02 p.m. Dec. 22 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Jurors continue deliberations in Lake Elsinore hammer killing: Jurors completed another day of deliberating without reaching a verdict Monday as they work to decide if a convicted killer facing the death penalty is legally retarded, which would spare him from execution.
RIVERSIDE, 6:53 a.m. Dec. 15 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Layoff notices go out at Cal Fire: Layoff notices are to go out today for seasonal Cal Fire firefighters in Riverside, San Diego and San Bernardino counties, and at least one fire station will be closed because of the state's budget deficit, according to a fire spokesman.
IDYLLWILD, 2:17 p.m. Dec. 14 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Chains required in San Jacinto Mountains as storm nears: The sun shone brightly Sunday in the San Jacinto Mountains, but patches of ice and snow remained in some shaded curves on mountain roadways, authorities said. That meant chains were required on vehicles above 5,000 feet.
RIVERSIDE, 4:42 p.m. Dec. 14 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Gas prices drop for 90th straight day: The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in the Inland Empire fell for the 90th consecutive day Sunday, dropping six-tenths of a cent to about $1.70, nearly 11 cents less than a week ago. LAKE ELSINORE, 1:47 a.m. Dec. 14 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Autopsy pending in fatal shooting of woman by deputies: An autopsy was pending Sunday for a Lake Elsinore woman who may have been drunk or high when she led sheriff's deputies on a car chase, did not follow orders when stopped and was fatally shot when she brandished a knife and fake pistol. LOS ANGELES, 9:35 p.m. Dec. 13 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Turnout at polls here was 78.5 percent on Nov. 4: About 78.5 percent of Riverside County voters turned out for the Nov. 4 presidential election, during which a record 13.7 million Californians cast votes, Secretary of State Debra Bowen said Saturday.
MURRIETA, 4:15 p.m. Dec. 11 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Murrieta man convicted of conspiring to kill teen prostitute: A 24-year-old Murrieta man was convicted Thursday of conspiring to kill a teenage prostitute who provided evidence against him in a pandering case, and his mother was convicted of being an accessory.
RIVERSIDE, 2:43 p.m. Dec. 11 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Garamendi joins Riverside nurses' picket line: Nurses were joined by California's lieutenant governor on a picket line near a Riverside hospital that they accuse of not bargaining fairly.
MURRIETA, 11:42 a.m. Dec. 11 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Verdict reached in conspiracy -to-kill trial: Jurors reached verdicts Thursday in the trial of four people who allegedly conspired to kill a teenage prostitute to stop her from testifying in a pandering case. RIVERSIDE, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 11 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Grant to UCR provides financial assistance to help dropouts return: Thanks to a nonprofit's $1 million grant to UC Riverside, students who dropped out of college but have since returned to pursue their degrees will be eligible for some financial assistance, a UCR official said.
RIVERSIDE, 4:40 a.m. Dec. 11 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Foreclosures continue to decline in county: Property foreclosures in Riverside County continued to decline last month, curbed by a new law and voluntary measures on the part of lenders, a real estate tracking firm reported Thursday.
RIVERSIDE, 1:42 p.m. Dec. 10 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Angry Riverside hospital nurses to protest over labor dispute: Nurses angry over what they call a Riverside hospital's failure to conduct good-faith negotiations toward a new labor contract will protest outside the facility Thursday, along with supporters including California's lieutenant governor.
MURRIETA, 1:36 p.m. Dec. 10 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Psychologist testifies about killer's mental competence: A psychologist for a man facing the death penalty for bludgeoning a man to death during a burglary testified Wednesday that a mildly retarded person can drive and perform other socially competent tasks, but it does not mean the person has no mental deficiency.
RIVERSIDE, 9:06 p.m. Dec. 9 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
County moves to fine owners for noisy dogs: The Riverside County Board of Supervisors tentatively approved a new anti-nuisance ordinance Tuesday aimed at silencing noisy dogs by assessing fines on their owners that can range as high as $500.
RIVERSIDE, 3:00 p.m. Dec. 9 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
County supervisors back away from anti-picketing measure: Concerned that a proposed anti-picketing ordinance might be too restrictive – and that it did not address the issue that inspired it – the Board of Supervisors Tuesday backed away from the measure, but indicated it may be brought back in different form.
MURRIETA, 3:20 p.m. Dec. 9 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Psychologist grilled about convicted man's level of retardation: A psychologist for a man facing the death penalty in a fatal bludgeoning testified Tuesday that he gave the defendant higher marks for reasoning than another mental health expert, even though he already testified that the man is mildly retarded.
MURRIETA, 4:48 a.m. Dec. 9 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Fate of four in plot to kill teen prostitute in hands of jury: Jurors weighing the fate of four people who allegedly conspired to kill a teenage prostitute to stop her from testifying in a pandering case will resume deliberations Tuesday afternoon.
RIVERSIDE, 3:05 a.m. Dec. 9 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)County board likely to OK picketing limits: A divided Riverside County Board of Supervisors is expected Tuesday to approve an ordinance to restrict residential picketing. TEMECULA, 4:52 a.m. Dec. 9 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Temecual hearing tonight on annexation of 5,000 acres: A public hearing will be held Tuesday to generate public input on a city proposal to annex almost 5,000 acres of county land.
RIVERSIDE, 2:48 p.m. Dec. 8 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Prosecutor: Man who killed Moreno Valley couple in crash guilty of murder: A man accused of killing a Moreno Valley couple in a 2006 traffic crash is guilty of murder because he knew the consequences of drunken driving, a prosecutor said Monday, but a defense lawyer said his client was too “self-absorbed” to realize where his actions may lead.
MURRIETA, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 8 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Defense says Gypsy convicted of slaying is mentally challenged: A 46-year-old Gypsy convicted of hammering a man to death is mildly retarded and should not be put to death, his defense attorney told a jury, while the prosecution contended the defendant is faking his mental deficiency.
RIVERSIDE, 4:45 a.m. Dec. 8 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Fatal crash trial's closing arguments planned: Closing statements are scheduled Monday in the trial of a Perris man accused of killing a Moreno Valley couple in a 2006 car crash the defendant allegedly caused while drunk at the wheel.
RIVERSIDE, 5:20 p.m. Dec. 7 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Gas prices continue to drop: The average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded gasoline in the Inland Empire fell for the 83rd consecutive day Sunday, dropping 2.2 cents to $1.81, 14.5 cents less than a week ago.
MURRIETA, 5:05 p.m. Dec. 5 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Murrieta man to stand trial on attempted kidnapping charges: A man who allegedly tried to lure 5- and 8-year-old girls into his pickup truck in Murrieta, possibly with stuffed animals, pictures of dolls and pornography, must stand trial on charges of attempted kidnapping, a judge ruled Friday.
TEMECULA, 12:50 p.m. Dec. 6 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)Truancy sweep nets seven students: A multi-agency truancy sweep collared seven students who skipped classes in the Temecula Valley School District, according to a sheriff's sergeant. TEMECULA, 10:02 a.m. Dec. 6 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Temecula man arrested on sex charges: A 49-year-old Temecula man was behind bars Saturday in Murrieta on suspicion of aggravated sexual assault of a child and lewd or lascivious acts with a victim under age 14, police and jail officials said. RIVERSIDE, 3:56 a.m. Dec. 6 (SIGNONSANDIEGO)
Decline in gas prices continues: The average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded gasoline in the Inland Empire fell for the 81st consecutive day Saturday, dropping 1.7 cents to $1.832, 13 cents less than a week ago.
