Police Blotter: Armed Robbery, Domestic Violence, Meth, And More

The attached PDFs are unedited crime reports provided by the Lake Elsinore sheriff's station. The reports include only select crime incidents reported by the Lake Elsinore Police Department and Wildomar Police Department.

The reports reflect the period March 30 - April 5.

For those who are unable to open the attached PDFs, see the reports below:

Lake Elsinore Police Department Crime and Enforcement Activity

March 30th – April 5th, 2011

Calls for Service:  504

(Selections)

03/30/11 Domestic Violence:  Officers were dispatched to the 41000 block of Portia where they arrested Roderick Galvey (age 35 of Lake Elsinore) for assaulting his wife.   L110890027

03/31/11 Felony Warrant:  Officers contacted Dean Sawyer (Age 40 of Lake Elsinore) as he traveled on an RTA bus along Grand Ave. after recognizing him from a flyer as being “wanted” for a parole violation.   L110900055

Felony Warrant:  Officers arrested Gustavo Martinez (age 19 of Lake Elsinore) on the 300 block of East Hill St. for an outstanding drug-related warrant.   L110900072

  Per attached Press Release below

:  Per attached Press Release

04/02/11 Possession of Methamphetamine/Concealed Weapon:  Officers contacted Paul Robinson (age 44 of Lake Elsinore) during a traffic stop on Adobe x Pottery and arrested him upon finding methamphetamine and a loaded handgun in his possession.   L110920016

04/03/11 Robbery:  Per attached Press Release 

  Per attached Press Release

04/04/11 Possession of Methamphetamine:  Officers conducted a traffic stop at Casino Dr. x Diamond Dr. and arrested Perry Carrier (age 39 of Wildomar) after finding methamphetamine in his possession.   L110940010 

04/05/11 No Significant Events 

Press Release:

Cell Phone Use and Texting Crackdown

Agency:

Lake Elsinore Police

Station Area:

Lake Elsinore

Written Date:

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Time:

Incident Date:

April, 2011

Time:

Incident Location:

City of Lake Elsinore

Reporting Officer:

Sergeant Marc Cloutier, 951-245-3300

File Number(s):

N/A

The Lake Elsinore Police Department Joins Effort to Crack Down on Cell Phone Use and Texting 
Texting and Driving Will Cost You: First Ticket Minimum $159

How often do you see drivers texting or talking with hand-held cell phones and wish they would be stopped and cited? As part of California’s first Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April, law enforcement will be holding zero tolerance days for cell phone use and texting. A ticket for violating either the hands free or no texting law costs a minimum of $159, and subsequent tickets cost $279.

Distracted driving is a serious traffic safety concern that puts everyone on the road at risk, joining speeding and alcohol as leading factors in fatal and serious injury crashes. As a result, law enforcement agencies across the state, including the Lake Elsinore Police Department are increasingly cracking down on cell phone use and texting. Starting April 4th and throughout the month, Lake Elsinore PD will join over 225 local agencies plus 103 CHP Area Commands conducting zero tolerance enforcements.

“We take the issue of distracted driving very seriously.” said Chief Fontneau. “Cell phone use and texting while driving is such a serious concern that we are putting officers on the road to enforce zero tolerance. Is that text message or cell phone call really worth $159? Additionally I’d like you to consider the human costs. People suffer preventable injuries every day at the hands of distracted drivers.”

Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. In addition, studies show that texting while driving can delay a driver’s reaction time just as severely as having a blood alcohol content of a legally drunk driver.

“We recognize that convincing drivers to refrain from using cell phones or texting while driving isn’t easy,” said Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher J. Murphy. “It’s very difficult to resist the urge to check an incoming text or answer a cell phone call. That’s why we are stepping up enforcement and public awareness efforts. Convincing California drivers to wear seat belts 20 years ago wasn’t easy either, but in 2010 more than 96 percent buckled up and thousands of lives were saved.”

Studies show that there is no difference in the risks between hands-free and hand-held cell phone conversations, both of which can result in “inattention blindness” which occurs when the brain isn’t seeing what is clearly visible because the drivers’ focus is on the phone conversation and not on the road.

There are simple measures drivers can take to minimize distractions in the vehicle:

• Turn your phone off or put it out of reach before starting the car.
• Alert callers that you are unable to take calls when driving by changing your voicemail message.
• Make it a point not to call or text anyone who may be driving, such as during the commute to and from work or school, especially parents calling teen drivers.
• If you do need to make an important call or respond to a text message, pull over to a safe place to do so.
• If going cold turkey is too much of a stretch and you just can’t turn your phone off, consider using one of the available mobile phone apps that holds calls and incoming texts.

“We just want drivers to use some common sense when they’re behind the wheel and focus on driving,” said Murphy. “Think about the vast majority of calls and texts you send or receive everyday. Were any really worth a $159 ticket – or worse, a crash, injury or death? It’s just not worth it.”

MEDIA NOTES: To schedule an interview regarding Distracted Driving and programs in California please contact Chris Cochran, California Office of Traffic Safety at (916) 509-3063 or via email at ccochran@ots.ca.gov.

Press Release:

Armed Robbery

Agency:

Lake Elsinore Police

Station Area:

Lake Elsinore

Written Date:

Friday, April 1, 2011

Time:

9:45 AM

Incident Date:

Friday, April 1, 2011

Time:

3:00 AM

Incident Location:

AM/PM Store located at 250 Diamond Drive in Lake Elsinore CA

Reporting Officer:

Sergeant Peter Giannakakos, 951-245-3320

File Number(s):

L11091010

Details:

The Lake Elsinore Police Department responded to an armed robbery in progress at the AM/PM store located at 250 Diamond Drive in the city of Lake Elsinore at 3:00 am. The store clerk, who was not hurt during the incident, reported an armed subject, carrying what appeared to be a sawed-off shotgun, entered the store demanding money and cigarettes.

The suspect escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash and 3 packs of cigarettes. He was last seen running out of the store in an unknown direction.

The suspect is described only as a thin male approximately 6 feet 2 inches in height. He was wearing a black stocking-style mask, brown short-sleeved shirt over what appeared to be grey long-sleeved shirt, blue shorts with white stripes, white knee high socks and black Chuck Taylor sneakers. The victim had no further suspect information.

The Lake Elsinore Police Department is conducting an ongoing investigation into this crime and is considering this suspect as armed and dangerous. Any person with information pertaining to this incident is encouraged to contact the Lake Elsinore Police Department Investigations Bureau at 951 -245 -3300.

Press Release:

Robbery

Agency:

Lake Elsinore Police

Station Area:

Lake Elsinore

Written Date:

April 3, 2011

Time:

Incident Date:

April 3, 2011

Time:

12:00 PM

Incident Location:

Lake Elsinore Outlet Stores

Reporting Officer:

Sergeant David Sanches

File Number(s):

L11093023

Booking Photos:

04-04-11

Details:

On Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 12:00 PM officers from the Lake Elsinore Police Department responded to a robbery call at A and V Leather in the Lake Elsinore Outlet Mall. Three black males attempted to leave the store without paying for a jacket worth $250.00 dollars. The store owner tried to stop the suspects and was physically attacked by two of the suspects.

The suspects ran to an awaiting gray Ford van that was occupied by three black females. The van drove north from the mall and then went south on Interstate 15. The van and suspect information was provided to surrounding agency; within minutes the van and suspects were located by a Wildomar Police officer and they were stopped at the Interstate 15/215 split.

After the suspects were detained, the jacket and several other stolen items were located in the van. The additional stolen items were from various stores in the area that have not been contacted as of this press release. All the suspects were from the Lancaster/Palmdale area. All suspects were arrested for robbery and possession of stolen property and booked into the Southwest Detention Center. The following suspects were arrested in this incident:

Crystal Johnson (23 years)

Darrell Mims (20 years)

Tiffanay Tyler (30 years)

Darrin Samuel (24 years)

Enshazay Tyler (23 years)

Alfonza Smith (22 years)

The Lake Elsinore Police Department would like to thank the citizens that provided statements and if anyone has additional information regarding this incident they can contact Deputy Pham or Investigator Beatty at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff Station. (951) 245-3300

Press Release:

Traffic Collision/Child Endangerment

Agency:

Lake Elsinore Police

Station Area:

Lake Elsinore

Written Date:

April 3, 2011

Time:

Incident Date:

April 3, 2011

Time:

12:38 PM

Incident Location:

Highway 74 and Gunnerson (Lake Elsinore)

Reporting Officer:

Sergeant David Sanches

File Number(s):

L110930026

Details:

On Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 12:38 PM officers from the Lake Elsinore Police Department responded to an injury collision at the intersection of Highway 74 and Gunnerson in the city of Lake Elsinore.

Upon arrival, officers learned that a 2004 Ford truck was towing a 1994 Mazda truck with a tow strap. The Ford was traveling east on Highway 74 and turned (right) onto Gunnerson. The Mazda was unable to negotiate the turn, left the roadway and flipped over. The Mazda was occupied by Maura Garcia (37 years) of Lake Elsinore and her three children (ages 5, 3 and 1 year old). None of the occupants were wearing safety restraints or were in car seats. No one was ejected from the vehicle.

Initially, Garcia hid her children from officers and EMT personnel to avoid being charged with a crime, but they were located and provided treatment at a residence nearby. The 3 and 1-year-old were transported to a local hospital for minor injuries and the 5-year-old was released to his father at the scene.

Garcia was arrested for Child Endangerment and was booked into the Southwest Detention Center.

The Lake Elsinore Police Department would like to remind its citizens to use safety restraints and car seats when driving in a vehicle. If anyone has additional information regarding this incident they can contact Deputy King at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff Station at (951) 245-3300.

Wildomar Police Department Crime and Enforcement Activity

March 30th – April 5th, 2011

Calls for Service:  270

(Selections)

03/30/11            No Significant Events

03/31/11 Felony Warrant:  Officers conducted a traffic stop at Darby x Central and arrested Stephen Holbrook (age 40 of Canyon Lake) for an outstanding warrant.   WI110900005 

Possession of Heroin:  Officers responded to the area of Stable Lanes regarding a suicidal subject and arrested Hillary Ortiz (age 29 of Wildomar) and Kyle Antonopopoulos (age 19 of Wildomar) on numerous drug charges.   WI110900037

04/01/11 Possession of Methamphetamine:  Officers conducted a traffic stop near Corydon x Cereal and arrested Katerina Stead (age 29 of Wildomar) upon locating methamphetamine in her possession.   WI110910034 

04/02/11 DUI:  Officers responded to a traffic collision at Bundy x The Farm and arrested Shaun Callahan (age 23 of Murrieta) after sobriety tests revealed he had been driving under the influence of alcohol.   WI110920008

04/03/11 No Significant Events   

04/04/11 Possession of Methamphetamine:  Officers conducted a traffic stop and arrested Christine Whaley (age 28 of Perris) after finding methamphetamine in her possession.   WI110940002 

04/05/11 No Significant Events

The primary source of the data was through records contained within the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Data Warehouse program and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.