Police Blotter: Drunk Driving, Sex-Crime Warrant, Stolen Cars, And More

Below 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 April 6 - 12.

Lake Elsinore Police Department Crime and Enforcement Activity

April 6th – April 12th, 2011

Calls for Service:  560  

(Selections)

Per attached Press Release 

  Per attached Press Release 

04/08/11 Felony Warrant:  Officers contacted Joshua Keller (age 23 of Perris) near Hwy 74 x Riverside and arrested him for an outstanding sex-crime warrant.   L110980053 

04/09/11 Possession of an Unlawful Weapon:  Officers conducted a vehicle stop near Collier x Riverside and arrested Zachary Taylor (age 20 of Escondido) for possession of an unlawful knife.   L110990054   

04/10/11 Felony Warrant:  Officers contacted Lucille Dutchover (age 46 of Long Beach) on Collier Ave. near The Outlets and arrested her for an outstanding vehicle theft warrant.   L111000003   

Criminal Threats:  Officers responded to the 17000 block of Bromley and arrested Josue Meza (age 19 of Lake Elsinore) for making threats against his family.   L111000016

04/11/11 Felony Warrant:  Officers conducted a traffic stop on Diamond Dr. and arrested Edwin Pineda (age 22 of Lake Elsinore) for an outstanding domestic violence warrant.   L111010076

04/12/11 Possession of Methamphetamine:  Officers responded to Target regarding a shoplifter in custody.  Leighann Combs (age 30 of Lake Elsinore) was arrested for shoplifting, possession of methamphetamine, and other drug-related charges.  Combs’ boyfriend, Richard Johnson (age 48 of Lake Elsinore), was arrested after methamphetamine was found in his possession.   L111020071/L111020100

  Per attached Press Release 

Press Release:

Vandalism, Trespassing

Agency:

Lake Elsinore Police

Station Area:

Lake Elsinore

Written Date:

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Time:

10:15 PM

Incident Date:

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Time:

5:45 PM

Incident Location:

4100 Gina Lynne, Lake Elsinore

Reporting Officer:

Sergeant John Carlberg 951-245-3099

File Number(s):

L110960091

Details:

On Wednesday, April 6, 2011, at 5:45 PM, Lake Elsinore Police officers responded to the community pool at 4100 Gina Lynne Lane, in the Alberhill Ranch area of Lake Elsinore, in reference to a vandalism in progress. When the officers arrived they detained 9 juveniles age 12-15 years.

There were several chairs, tables and trash cans that had been thrown into the pool, and one bathroom door that had been forced open, causing damage to the jamb and electronic lock. A responder was located and the damage was initially estimated at $2000.

Further investigation revealed 2 other juveniles had fled the location prior to arrival of the officers. The juveniles on scene made statements implicating one of them for the damage to the door. The juveniles were arrested and released to family members at the scene.

Anyone with further information about this incident, or any other criminal activity in Lake Elsinore is encouraged to contact the Lake Elsinore Police Department at 951-245-3300 or after hours and on weekends at 951-776-1099.

The Lake Elsinore Police Department would like to remind all citizens to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity, including any vehicles or persons, to law enforcement.

Press Release:

Marijuana Cultivation

Agency:

Lake Elsinore Police

Station Area:

Lake Elsinore

Written Date:

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Time:

3:00 PM

Incident Date:

Thursday, April 07, 2011

Time:

8:45 AM

Incident Location:

Riverside Drive east of Lakeshore Dr.

Reporting Officer:

Sergeant Marc Cloutier, 951-245-3300

File Number(s):

L110970040

Details:

At approximately 0845 hours, a Lake Elsinore Motor Traffic Enforcement Officer stopped the driver of a Ford pick up truck for an expired registration violation. During the initial contact with the driver, later identified as James Meckley, age 59 of Lake Elsinore, The officer spotted over fifty juvenile marijuana plants inside the cab of the vehicle.

Meckley was arrested for unlawful cultivation of marijuana and transported to the Lake Elsinore Police Department for further investigation.

The Lake Elsinore Police Department in conjunction with the Riverside Sheriff’s Marijuana Eradication Team continues to aggressively prosecute persons who violate state marijuana cultivation, sales and distribution laws.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Lake Elsinore Police Department at 951 245-3300.

Wildomar Police Department Crime and Enforcement Activity

April 6th – April 12th, 2011

Calls for Service:  291

(Selections)

04/06/11  Possession of Stolen Property:  Officers responded to a theft call on the 20000 block of Union St. and arrested Crystal Sanchez (age 27 of Wildomar) for possession of stolen property, child endangerment, and being under the influence of a controlled substance.   WI110960029 

04/07/11  Driving Under the Influence:  Officers responded to a traffic collision on the 32000 block of Verde Mesa and arrested Miguel Garcia (age 19 of Lake Elsinore) for driving under the influence.   WI110970024 

  Per attached Press Release       

  Per attached Press Release

04/10/11   No Significant Events

04/11/11   Possession of Stolen Property:  Officers contacted Carlos Ruiz (age 50 of Mira Loma) and Martha Osario (age 44 of Mira Loma) near Baxter x I15 and arrested them for possession of stolen property and conspiracy.   WI111010005 

04/12/11   Vehicle Theft:  Officers arrested John Weber (age 39 of Wildomar) and Jacqueline Smith (age 26 of Hemet) after contacting them near Grand x Hixon in a stolen vehicle.   WI110200032

Possession of Methamphetamine:  Officers contacted Roland Spencer (age 45 of Wildomar) near Bryant x Belmore and arrested him upon locating methamphetamine in his possession.   WI111020052

Press Release:

DUI-Related Traffic Collision

Agency:

Wildomar Police

Station Area:

Lake Elsinore

Written Date:

Friday, April 8, 2011

Time:

11:45 pm

Incident Date:

Friday, April 8, 2011

Time:

10:00 pm

Incident Location:

Intersection of Grand Avenue and Gruwell Street in Wildomar

Reporting Officer:

Sergeant John Carlberg, 951-245-3099

File Number(s):

WI110980033

Details:

On Friday, April 8, 2011, at 10:00 pm, officers from the Wildomar Police Department were dispatched to a traffic collision at Grand Avenue and Gruwell Street, Wildomar. The investigation revealed a blue 2006, Honda Civic being driven by Ashley Ferguson, 21 years old, from Las Vegas, Nevada, was westbound on Gruwell Street, and failed to stop for a posted stop sign at the intersection with Grand Avenue. The Honda collided with a white 1991, Nissan Maxima that was traveling southbound on Grand Avenue. It was also determined Ferguson was possibly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.

As a result of the collision both vehicles sustained major damage. Ferguson was transported to a local hospital for lacerations and possible internal injuries. The driver of the Nissan was not injured.

Ferguson is being charged with 23152 CVC, Driving under the Influence of Alcohol.

The Wildomar Police Department is conducting an ongoing investigation into this collision. Any person with information pertaining to this incident, or any other incident involving drunk driving is encouraged to contact the Wildomar Police Department at 951 -245 -3300.

Press Release:

Hit and Run with Property Damage / DUI Arrest

Agency:

Wildomar Police

Station Area:

Lake Elsinore

Written Date:

April 10, 2011

Time:

6:00 AM

Incident Date:

April 9, 2011

Time:

10:22 PM

Incident Location:

Intersection of Palomar Street and Mission Trail, Wildomar

Reporting Officer:

Sergeant Ken Chaffin

File Number(s):

WI110990037

Details:

On Saturday, April 9, 2011, officers responded to the area of Palomar Street and Mission Trail reference a single vehicle traffic collision resulting in property damage. Upon arriving on scene, officers were contacted by several witnesses who stated the occupant of the vehicle had fled the scene. Through further investigation, the suspect was identified as Derek Gutierrez (age 21), a resident of Wildomar. Gutierrez was subsequently charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and hit and run. He was booked at the Southwest Detention Center.

The Wildomar Police Department is conducting an ongoing investigation into the collision. Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is encouraged to contact the Wildomar Police Department by calling (951) 245-3300.

Press Release:

DUI/Safety Checkpoint

Agency:

Lake Elsinore Police

Station Area:

Lake Elsinore

Written Date:

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Time:

Incident Date:

Friday, April 15, 2011

Time:

Incident Location:

Lake Elsinore

Reporting Officer:

Sergeant Marc Cloutier, 951-245-3300

File Number(s):

Details:

The Lake Elsinore Police Department Traffic Unit will be conducting a DUI/Driver's License checkpoint on Friday, April 15, 2011 at an undisclosed location within the city limits.

The Department is continuing its ongoing campaign to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol-involved crashes. DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as bring awareness to our community of the dangers of impaired driving.   Over the course of the past three years, DUI collisions have claimed 5 lives and resulted in 42 injury crashes harming 64 of our friends and neighbors.

Everyone can assist in preventing this crime from ever occurring. If you are planning a gathering or celebration with alcohol included, or if you are out on the town, plan ahead and designate a non-drinking sober driver. A DUI arrest costs upwards of $10,000, time in jail and the loss or your driver's license, including years of increased insurance rates.

Statewide, overall traffic deaths declined by 23 percent, from 3,995 in 2007 to 3,081 in 2009. Total traffic fatalities are at their lowest levels in six decades, when the federal government began compiling figures. DUI deaths declined by 16 percent, from 1,132 in 2007 to 950 in 2009.

Alcohol-impaired deaths still make up the largest category of overall vehicle fatalities, with 31 percent of all deaths caused by a drunk driver. A DUI checkpoint is a proven-effective method to lower these numbers. Additionally, drivers will be checked to ensure that they have a valid driver’s license.

Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Remember, everyone is encouraged to help keep our roadways safe; Report Drunk Drivers – Call 911!

MEDIA NOTES: To schedule an interview regarding impaired driving efforts and programs in California please contact Chris Cochran, California Office of Traffic Safety at (916) 905-3063 or via email at ccochran@ots.ca.gov.  

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.