Police Seek Public's Help In Robbery/Kidnapping Investigation

The Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help regarding an ongoing investigation that may involve multiple crime incidents.

Menifee resident Donald Michael Pardue, 45, was arrested today by investigators from the Lake Elsinore sheriff’s station and later booked for robbery, kidnapping, child endangerment and grand theft.

But investigators say he is a suspect in other crime incidents throughout Southwest Riverside and San Diego County.

The investigation leading up to Pardue’s arrest today dates back to Dec. 23 when a robbery/ kidnapping was reported in the unincorporated area of Corona.

On that date, a victim reported that he was working for a local landscaping company and was putting his landscaping equipment back into his work truck when he was approached by a white male, described as over six feet tall, about 250 lbs., wearing a black hat, sunglasses, blue jeans, tan work boots, and a green reflective safety vest.

The victim reported that the man exited the truck he was driving, which was described as an early 2000-model Chevrolet Silverado with four doors, larger tires and an orange safety cone in the bed.

The man lifted his shirt and exposed the handle of a black handgun tucked into his waistband, and reportedly told the victim, “Give me your tools.”

The victim feared for his life and gave the man the gardening equipment, the report stated.

According to the report, the man ordered the victim into his truck and forced him into the back seat.

The man was accompanied by a white male juvenile, about 12 years old. The man and the boy laughed at the victim as they drove him to a remote location and ordered him out of the truck and then drove away, the report stated.

According to the report, after researching several incidents over the last six months, investigators from the Lake Elsinore sheriff’s station identified Pardue as the suspect in the case.

On Thursday, investigators from the Lake Elsinore sheriff’s station served a search warrant in the 29000 block of Garboni Road in Menifee. Pardue was detained and transported to the Lake Elsinore station and later booked at the Southwest Detention Center.

According to the report, investigators suspect Pardue is responsible for numerous crime incidents in Southwest Riverside and San Diego County areas. Over $40,000 worth of gardening equipment, including lawn mowers, blowers, and chain saws have been stolen, and several victims have identified Pardue, the report continued.

The investigation is continuing and the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Department is asking the public for information regarding this case to contact Investigator Callahan at (951) 245-3300.