CRIME & SAFETY

A grocery store and restaurant were determined to be a total loss Saturday morning after a fire erupted in Pauma Valley.

In a distressing incident in Hemet, California, Shawna Weems, a 28-year-old mother of three, met her untimely demise after reportedly intervening with a couple, believed to be involved in illicit drug activity outside her residence.

TEMECULA, California, Border Patrol officials apprehended a woman on Tuesday on Interstate 15 for transporting four bundles of heroin concealed within a diaper bag, as stated in a U.S. Border Patrol press release.

Patrick Martin Howard, 53, of Torrance and Robert Mauro, 58, of Long Beach drowned at Lake Perris on the afternoon of Sept. 13, according to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.

Two people were killed and a dog was rescued early Wednesday morning following a head-on collision in the Pala area of San Diego’s North County.

PALA — A head-on crash on a rural highway near Pala Casino has left two people dead and a DUI suspect under arrest, authorities reported. The fatal wreck occurred shortly after midnight on Sept. 20, when a Nissan Xterra heading east on state Route 76 veered into a westbound lane at Pala Mission Road, directly into the path of an oncoming Toyota RAV4, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A body found on the outskirts of a Murrieta park appeared to be an unattended death and not a homicide, authorities said Friday. The man’s remains were spotted shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday on the perimeter of Rancho Acacias Park in the 39700 block of Avenida Palizada, according to the Murrieta Police Department.

“On 9/12/23 at approximately 9:28am the Hemet Police Department Communications Center received calls for service regarding fire damage to the front door of La Fogata Restaurant and a dumpster fire behind Ross Dress For Less. The dumpster fire was directly underneath the air conditioning intake for the store; filling the store with smoke. Both businesses were able to provide video surveillance of a black male adult wearing a gray backpack, long light-colored shorts, and medium curly hair.

Yesterday, September 18, a person suffered fatal stab wounds, and an unseen attacker fled the scene, evading the reach of justice. According to Hemet Police Department's report, several community members swiftly contacted the authorities about a disturbance just after 12:30 a.m., reflecting the ever-present tension and concern for safety in these uncertain times. Hemet police soon arrived on the scene to find an adult victim with multiple stab wounds who, despite brave lifesaving efforts by emergency responders, ultimately could not to make a full recovery and succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital. As of now, the identity of the victim remains withheld, pending notification of their family.

A hiker was injured Thursday on a trail north of Murrieta, requiring a sheriff’s helicopter crew to retrieve the man and transport him to safety. The “hiker down” call was received about 11:45 a.m. in the Greer Ranch area, near the intersection of Crossroads and La Estrella streets, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

A man died Monday in the Riverside County Sheriff's Department's custody after being admitted to a hospital for a medical condition, the department reported. Jess Flores, 46 of Calimesa, was arrested on Sept. 5 and held at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta. The department reported in a news release that he became ill and was admitted to a hospital at some point during his incarceration. He was receiving treatment when his condition worsened, and he ultimately died.

According to SpotCrime, below are the crime dailies for Temecula,California on 09/17/2023. Local residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly to authorities.

A pedestrian was seriously injured Wednesday when he was struck by a driver who fled on the east end of Hemet. The hit-and-run happened about 3:40 a.m. in the 600 block of North State Street, near Oakland Avenue, according to the Hemet Police Department. The agency said that the victim,...

On Monday, September 18, 2023, at 1:06 p.m., deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station responded to a call regarding the brandishing of a firearm. The investigation revealed two citizens came across a motorist whose vehicle and trailer appeared to be stuck in the middle of the road on El Cariso Trail in the unincorporated area of Lake Elsinore. The motorist and his female companion were identified as 37-year-old Kevin Hofseth of Escondido and 35-year-old Lindsay Salomone of San Diego. The citizens offered Hofseth assistance, at which time Hofseth made threatening comments while brandishing a rifle in their direction. The citizens retreated to safety and called for police assistance. The Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau responded to the location. After a lengthy standoff, Hofseth was taken into custody, and Salomone was detained for further investigation. During the investigation, evidence was seized supporting the victims’ statements. Hofseth and Salomone were found to be in possession of controlled substances that were indicative of sales. Hofseth and Salomone were booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for various criminal charges, including brandishing a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon, and resisting arrest.

Family members and the county Medical Examiner's Office identified the couple as Hector Jovany Fernandez, 32, and Jessica Bedolla, 28

On September 19, 2023, at 7:00 a.m., the Palm Desert Station’s Burglary Suppression Unit, assisted by Palm Desert’s Special Enforcement Team and Business District Team, served a search warrant in the 34000 block of Lyn Ave., Hemet. The search warrant stemmed from a burglary to a business in...

The city of Hemet approved a $60,000 bonus for qualified officers in an effort to sway veteran law enforcement to join its police department. In a recent city council meeting, the Hemet City Council unanimously approved the generous hiring incentive for lateral police officers and deputies. The city’s mission is to attract qualified applicants from their current law enforcement job to join the Hemet police force.

According to SpotCrime, below are the crime dailies for Pala,California on 09/16/2023. Local residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly to authorities.

A 33-year-old Temecula man has pleaded guilty and is expected to be sentenced to two years behind bars next year for his part in an alleged multi-million dollar kickback scheme involving a sober-living facility in Orange County, according to court records obtained Monday. James Frageau pleaded guilty Wednesday to a...