Lakeland Village Man Arrested On Suspicion Of Murder

A Lakeland Village man is behind bars on suspicion of murder, police are reporting.

Jason Schmidt, 35, was arrested Monday in connection with the killing death of 58-year-old Leopoldo Navarrete of Lake Elsinore.

Schmidt was picked up by deputies shortly before 4 p.m. at a residence on Herbert Street in Good Hope, according to jail records. The suspect reportedly led deputies on a foot chase before he was quickly apprehended. Jail records show Schmidt is a convicted felon.

Navarrete was reported missing by family members on June 14.

Evidence showed Navarrete was the victim of a homicide, according to a July 26 news release from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station. Police have not released information on how he was killed.

Police said they believed from the start of the investigation that Navarrete may have been a victim of foul play.

During the search for Navarrete, the Riverside Sheriff's Central Homicide worked with detectives from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station, and several searches were conducted using aircraft over the area as well as divers in the lake.

The investigation into the case is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Ed Baeza of the Sheriff's Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777, or Detective Mike Cornett of the Lake Elsinore Police Department at (951) 245-3000. Citizens may also submit an anonymous tip at the Sheriff's Homicide Tipline.

Schmidt is due on court Aug.15.