SWRNN

Trio arrested for allegedly burglarizing home of dead man

2012-02-24T01:30:09Z

Three suspects were behind bars today for allegedly burglarizing the home of a 60-year-old Hemet man while he was lying dead in his residence.

Joshua Ray Blackwell, 22, and Jennifer Jean Moore, 30, were arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy and receiving stolen
property. Both were being held in lieu of $25,000 bail — Blackwell at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, and Moore at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.

Devin Patrick Szymanski, 20, was arrested on the same allegations, in addition to drug possession, and was being held in lieu of $35,000 bail at the Banning jail.

The East Hemet residents allegedly ransacked the home of Daniel Gibson, stealing various items, apparently while the victim was lying dead in the residence in the 44000 block of Olive Avenue, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies received an anonymous call on Sunday that there was a dead man in a home in the neighborhood where it was later learned the burglary had occurred, but the tipster didn’t specify where.

Investigators were able to locate the residence, however, and Gibson’s remains were found Monday morning. The coroner’s preliminary finding is that he died of natural causes, according to a sheriff’s official.

In the ensuing investigation, Blackwell, Moore and Szymanski were identified as suspects in the burglary, though sheriff’s officials did not
elaborate. Detectives allegedly located property taken from Gibson’s home in the trio’s possession.

Search for bone marrow match continues for Murrieta athlete

2012-02-24T00:18:36Z

The local youth sports community will rally behind Ricky Martinez, 9, this weekend when they host a bone marrow donor drive for the Murrieta boy.

Two bone marrow drives for Murrieta resident Ricky Martinez will be held this weekend. (Courtesy photo)

Read Murrieta athlete seeks bone marrow match, drive planned

The first drive will take place from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday at Los Alamos Sports Park in Murrieta and will be hosted by the Friday Night Lights flag football league.

Then Murrieta Valley Pony Baseball will host its own bone marrow drive from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Pony fields located at Fig Street and Jefferson.

Ricky, nicknamed Smiley for his broad, infectious grin, was recently diagnosed with aplastic anemia — a bone marrow disease that prevents the marrow from making enough red and white blood cells and platelets for the body.

With the depletion of those red and white blood cells comes the risk of infection or bleeding that in some cases can be life-threatening.

Though Ricky is currently receiving blood transfusions every Friday and is feeling strong, his dad Oscar said he knows that a bone marrow donor is what is needed for the long haul.

“We’re getting tired and a little scared,” Oscar said.

Anyone wishing to come out and be tested as a match needn’t be worried about a painful, invasive experience.

The process involves swabbing just four cotton swabs on the inside of the cheek after joining the registry and filling out a consent form.

Participants should be between the age of 18 and 60 and in fairly good health.

Regarding the outpouring of support so far from residents, Oscar said: “This is an amazing community. This has all been very, very humbling.”

To learn more about how to be tested as a bone marrow donor, visit BetheMatchFoundation.org.

Palm Desert: Officer-involved shooting leaves burglary suspect dead

2012-02-23T20:42:17Z

A man suspected of burglary was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy today when the deputy tried to subdue him, a sheriff’s spokesman said.

The deputy saw a man running from a location in the 77800 block of Michigan Drive, where someone reported a burglary shortly after 12:30 a.m., Deputy Angel Ramos said.

“The officer chased the suspect, who was jumping several fences, as he ran from the scene. The officer deployed his Taser in an attempt to subdue the suspect, but was unsuccessful. The suspect then charged at the officer,” Ramos said. “During the physical confrontation, the officer fired his service weapon at the suspect, injuring him.”

The man was treated by paramedics and transported to a local hospital, where he was declared dead, Ramos said.

The man’s name was withheld until his family was notified. The deputy, whose name was not released, was put on paid administrative leave, which is sheriff’s department policy, Ramos said.

Authorities were investigating, and no more information was released, Ramos said.

Anyone with information was asked to call investigators at 760-393- 3500 or 760-836-1600.

Wildomar man killed in four-vehicle crash near Perris

2012-02-23T20:34:42Z

A 19-year-old man was killed and four people were injured in a multi-car crash west of Perris triggered when a driver veered into oncoming traffic, a California Highway Patrol officer said today.

Ronald Cole of Wildomar died last night from injuries suffered in a collision on state Route 74, near Meadowbrook Avenue.

According to CHP Officer Nathan Baer, Cole was driving his 2004 Honda Civic west on the four-lane highway around 9 p.m. when he allowed the car to drift into the opposing traffic lanes — straight into the path of another Honda Civic driven by 23-year-old Cody Testi of Riverside.

Testi attempted to swerve to avoid a head-on collision, but wasn’t able to maneuver in time, according to Baer.

He said the impact caused Cole’s sedan to spin into the path of a Nissan Pathfinder, which struck the vehicle broadside on the driver’s side.

A woman driving a Chrysler 300 a short distance behind the Pathfinder plowed through the crash debris, but didn’t hit the other vehicles, Baer said.

Cole died at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar about an hour after the crash.

The 19-year-old’s two passengers, a man and woman, were hospitalized with moderate to major injuries.

Testi suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

According to Baer, the driver of the Pathfinder declined treatment, and the woman at the wheel of the Chrysler was transported to a Menifee hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Thunder from Down Under to heat up a local casino

2012-02-23T20:11:59Z

Ooh la la. We mean, Ace!

Australia’s Thunder from Down Under, a popular male revue show, is coming to Pala Casino Spa & Resort.

Australia's Thunder from Down Under (Courtesy image)

The Las Vegas show, which is performed at the Excalibur, tours regularly and will visit the local casino at 7 p.m. April 21 in the Infinity Showroom.

Since the adult attraction debuted in 1991, nearly seven million people have seen their often sold-out performances.

Tickets are $22 and $32 and go on sale at 10 a.m. March 2.

Call or visit Pala’s box office (1-877-946-7252) or Star Tickets (1-800-585-3737, startickets.com).

Other upcoming shows include the Ultimate Elvis Fest – Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest (March 16-18), “fluffy” comedian Gabriel Iglesias (8 p.m. May 4, $28-$45), and jazz crooner/pianist Diana Krall (8 p.m. Aug. 10, $80-$105).

For more information, visit palacasino.com.

Girl thwarts attempted kidnapping in Moreno Valley

2012-02-23T20:19:34Z

A 14-year-old Moreno Valley girl escaped an attempted kidnapping on Feb. 21, officials said.

A van similar to this white Chevrolet Astro van was used in a recent attempted kidnapping of a 14-year-old girl in Moreno Valley. Photo courtesy of Riverside County Sheriff Department.

The girl was walking near Sunnymead Middle School at approximately 8:30 a.m. with two juvenile male friends when a man driving a white Chevrolet Astro van tried to lure the young girl into the van by offering her money, according to a report on the Riverside Sheriff County website.

The girl refused and the man stopped his vehicle and chased after her. The girl’s male juvenile companions were able to fight off the attempted kidnapper and flee to safety.

The Moreno Valley Investigations Unit is actively looking for the public’s assistance in identifying the male driving the van.

The suspect is described as an African-American adult male, standing six feet tall, weighing 180 lbs., and wearing all black clothing, the report stated.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Mike Littleton of the Moreno Valley Police Department’s Investigation’s Unit at 951-247-8700.

Six Camp Pendleton Marines perish in helicopter crash

2012-02-23T19:10:15Z

Six Camp Pendleton-based Marines and a seventh stationed in Yuma, Ariz., were killed when two helicopters collided during a nighttime training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, the Marine Corps announced today.

Camp Pendleton (Credit: Wikimedia)

The Marines were killed about 8 p.m. Wednesday when their AH-1W “Cobra” and UH-1 “Huey” helicopters collided in flight over a remote area of the Yuma Training Range Complex, according to Miramar’s public affairs office.

No one survived survived the crash, which a USMC gunnery sergeant based in Yuma said occurred on the California side of the border. He told KNX 1070 Newsradio that the exercise had been a routine “ongoing training evolution.”

The six Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton belonged to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing based at MCAS Miramar.

There will be an “intensive investigation” into the cause of the crash over the next few months, said Lt. Maureen Dooley, a spokeswoman for the 3rd Wing.

The identities of the deceased Marines were withheld pending family notification. Dooley said the names would not be released until at least Friday afternoon.

Although the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is based at MCAS Miramar, six of the Marines killed Wednesday night were stationed at Camp Pendleton, along with the rest of the light-attack squadron and their aircraft, Dooley said. MAW Marines train in Yuma on a weekly basis, according to Dooley.

The seventh victim was stationed in Yuma, according to a MCAS Miramar statement. The gunnery sergeant interviewed by KNX said that victim was one of the two pilots.

It’s not the first time that Camp Pendleton Marines have died in a Cobra-Huey collision.

On Oct. 26, 2009, four Camp Pendleton-based Marines were killed when their Cobra and Huey helicopters collided over southern Afghanistan. Cpl. Gregory M.W. Fleury, 23, and Capt. Eric A. Jones, 29, were in the Huey that collided with the Cobra carrying David S. Mitchell, 30, and Kyle R. Van De Giesen, 29.

Four days later, a Camp Pendleton-based Cobra collided in flight with a Sacramento-based U.S. Coast Guard C-130 search plane near San Clemente Island, killing two Marines aboard the Cobra and seven Coast Guard members. Three separate military probes concluded there was no single factor that caused the crash.

More recently, a Marine pilot and his co-pilot were killed when their Cobra helicopter went down at Camp Pendleton on Sept. 19 during a training exercise, killing Capt. Jeffrey Bland, 37, and 1st Lt. Thomas Heitmann, 27. The crash sparked a brush fire that blackened about 120 acres near Fallbrook.

Last July, 25-year-old Marine Sgt. Trevor Cook was killed and five other Marines were injured when a Huey helicopter went down in a hilly area in the northwestern reaches of Camp Pendleton, sparking a small brush fire that was quickly extinguished.

Temecula shoppers to be treated to high fashion, low prices

2012-02-23T03:14:19Z

Get your checkbooks ready, Southwest Riverside. Nordstrom Rack is coming to Temecula this spring.

Nordstrom Rack will make its debut with special opening day festivities on May 3. (Kerri S. Mabee/SWRNN)

For many San Diego or Orange County transplants, the move into the Commons at Temecula shopping center that features Sport Chalet and Party City near Promenade Temecula is long-overdue.

“We’re so excited to be opening this Temecula store. It really came down to finding the perfect location at the right time,” said Nordstrom spokeswoman Kendall Ault.

Nordstrom Rack, an off-price retail division of Nordstrom, Inc., offers deep discounts on Nordstorm merchandise. The retail outlet will makes its debut with special opening day festivities on May 3.

“The morning of the store opening will (include) a lot of fun things as a way of thanking our customers for joining us,” Ault said.

Kicking off at 7 a.m., the opening day festivities will include music, refreshments and giveaways, including a drawing at 8:45 a.m. where one lucky shopper will win a chance to “Race through the Rack” on a 90-second spree for up to $2,000 worth of goods.

When the store officially opens at 9 a.m., residents will also be invited to scour the store in search of golden hangers that can be exchanged for a $100 credit towards purchases.

Additionally, the first 1,000 customers will receive a complimentary reusable tote to fill up with their purchased items.

The 37,000 square-foot facility will feature discounted apparel, shoes, accessories and cosmetics for the whole family, thousands of pairs of shoes, over 2,000 pairs of premium denim for men and women, over 1,000 men’s ties and on-site alterations, according to Ault.

Ault said the new Temecula location gives the company the chance to better serve their customers and will be a great place to find all the best fashions for a great price.

For more information visit www.nordstromrack.com. And for upcoming clues on where to find those golden hangers, follow www.twitter.com/nordstrom_rack.

Kerri S. Mabee can be reached at kerri.mabee@swrnn.com. Follow me on Twitter @kerrimabee.

Beaumont celebrates 100 years with photog contest

2012-02-23T00:11:59Z

As part of Beaumont’s centennial celebration, a photography contest is being held from now until July 2012, it was recently announced.

As part of Beaumont’s centennial celebration, a photography contest is being held from now until July 2012. (Flickr: kevincole)

Residents are encouraged to look through recently taken pictures and keep an eye out for upcoming photo opportunities. The contest is a way to capture the history of Beaumont in a visual form that can be shared with others for years to come.

The 5 Contest Categories:

Beaumont Outdoors: outdoor spaces (not people focused)
Beaumont Community: people focused
Beaumont Historical: 1912 – 2000
Beaumont Innovation and Vision: business and residential growth
Beaumont Youth, age17 and Under: what does Beaumont represent to you?

The deadline to enter the contest is at 5 p.m. on July 18.

Judging will be conducted by the City’s Special Events Committee. All decisions are final.

The top 5 finalists from each category will be announced in August 2012 on the city’s website and at the City Council meeting. The grand prize winner and top category winners will be announced in the November 2012 edition of the “Beaumont Now Magazine.”

The first place photos from each of the five categories will be hung in the Civic Center for the entire community to enjoy. The grand prize winner and category winners will also be formally recognized during a special 100th Anniversary reception on Nov. 17, 2012.

Visit www.ci.beaumont.ca.us/photocontest for complete rules and guidelines.

Temecula resident suspected of burglarizing Murrieta home free on bail

2012-02-23T18:41:28Z

A Temecula man is free on bail after a Murrieta couple stumbled upon a burglary happening at their Murrieta home last month.

Artemio Lopez

The surprised homeowners returned home on Jan. 21 after being gone for several hours.

They opened the garage at their home on the 36000 block of Oak Meadows Pl. and realized their car had been tampered with and ransacked.

The startled homeowner quickly entered his home and heard people scurrying through his rear slider, court documents stated.

The homeowner told first responder, Officer Whiddon, that he ran to the open slider and watched as three adult males scaled his back wall and ran up a hill behind his property.

The burglars had made a mess of the home including shattering a large family-room window with a rock.

A trail of stolen items lay around and outside of the property including a flat screen television, bottles of beers and a laptop computer.

The victim told Officer Whiddon that his wife’s solitaire diamond ring and his loaded Strum Ruger six-shot revolver were also missing from the home.

A Murrieta Police K-9 unit was brought in to track the suspects.

Less than a mile up the hilly and heavily vegetated embankment the bloodhound went straight to a Chevrolet truck parked nearby, the report stated.

Further investigation revealed that the vehicle found at the scene was registered to a woman living in Quail Valley.

Surveillance of the truck revealed it was being driven by a man who was stopped in Temecula by Detective Spencer Parker.

The driver was identified as 21-year-old, Artemio Lopez of Temecula.

Lopez was subsequently arrested for driving with a suspended license. The arresting officer searched the truck and located numerous stolen items from the victims’ home.

Lopez waived his Miranda Rights and admitted to the arresting officer that he was one of four suspects involved in the residential burglary, court documents stated.

Lopez was booked at the Southwest Detention Center in French Valley and was later released after posting $25,000 bail.

He is scheduled to go before the judge on Mar. 28.

At press time, it is not known if the other 3 suspects have been caught.

Stephanie D. Schulte is writer and photographer and new contributor to SWRNN.