Inland Empire – Last month, several crime incidents took place in the surrounding area.  See a below of crime in the month of July.

INCIDENT: Fatal Traffic collision

WHEN: July 4, 2019

WHERE: Sixth Street cross of Temescal Avenue, Norco

On July 4, at about 9:16 p.m., deputies responded to a two-vehicle traffic collision off Sixth Street cross of Temescal Avenue in the city of Norco. 

An investigation revealed a “Chevrolet El Camino was traveling southbound on Temescal Avenue at a high rate of speed,” according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. “The vehicle struck a Toyota Tundra in the intersection, which was traveling westbound on Sixth Street. The force of impact caused the Toyota Tundra to flip onto its roof and slide across the intersection. Both vehicles came to rest on the southwest portion of the intersection into the oncoming lanes of traffic.”

The driver of the vehicle, a 44-year-old male from Norco, was found trapped and unresponsive on scene. When Cal Fire and American Medical Response arrived to the scene, they pronounced the driver deceased at the scene.  The sole occupant of the Toyota Tundra was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. 

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call Deputy Murphy at the Jurupa Valley Station, 951-955-2600.  Persons who wish to report any criminal activity and wish to remain anonymous can call crime stoppers at 800-78-CRIME (800-782-7463) or 800-47-DRUGS (800-473-7847).  You can also leave anonymous information at www.riversidesheriff.org/tipline or www.wetip.com.     

INCIDENT: Fourth of July 2019 Fireworks Enforcement Operation

WHEN: July 4, 2019

WHERE: City of Eastvale

The Eastvale Police Department, in conjunction with City of Eastvale Code Enforcement, Riverside County Fire, and Riverside County Animal Control, developed response plans to educate the public and to enforce all laws related to the illegal use and possession of fireworks within the city limits. 

On July 4, 2019, a proactive operation was conducted on 4th of July at 5 PM and ended on July 5, 2019, at 2:00 AM to combat the illegal use of fireworks in the City of Eastvale.  The following information was reported:

• Deputies responded to 31 calls for service related to fireworks that were received through the Sheriff’s Department Dispatch Center and the Riverside Sheriff’s Department’s on-line reporting site. 
• A total of 14 citations were given to subjects in violation of the Eastvale Municipal Code which prohibits the possession and discharging of fireworks within the city limits. 
• Approximately 100 pounds of unused fireworks were confiscated and collected by the Sheriff’s Hazardous Device Team for destruction.    

The Eastvale Police Department would like to remind everyone that fireworks are illegal in Riverside County and the City of Eastvale.  They also would like to encourage the reporting of the illegal use and possession of fireworks by calling the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center at 951-800-950-2444 or through the online reporting on the Sheriff’s Department webpage.

INCIDENT: Telephone Scam

WHERE: Throughout Riverside County

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department issued a statement regarding an increase in reports of a specific telephone “scam.” The “scam” is described below:

Victims are being called by persons identifying themselves as “agents” of the Social Security Administration. These fictitious “agents” then advise the victim of felonious activity associated with their social security number. The victim is then directed to post a monetary “bond” to prevent an arrest warrant from being issued.

Frequently, victims report that significant lengths are gone through to “establish” the caller’s credibility. In several cases the caller requested a contact number for the local law enforcement agency where the victim lives. The agent directs the victim to wait for a call from the local law enforcement agency. The victim receives a call from a Caller ID identified number naming the local law enforcement agency. The person on the phone identifies themselves as an officer with the local agency, who then directs the victim to comply with the “agent” when called again.  The fictitious agent calls back then threatens the victim with a felony arrest warrant unless a ‘bond” is posted.

The fictitious “agent” advises the bond can be most conveniently taken care of with a Google Play, Apple Pay, Target Gift, Walmart gift, or other commercial gift/payment card.  Once purchased, the victim is directed to read off the coded numbers on the back of the cards to the agent, completing payment of the “bond.” The public should be aware that no police or government agency will ask for or accept a store gift card for payment of a lawful, legitimate fine or fee.

This type of scam has several variations. In addition to callers claiming to represent the Social Security Administration, the IRS, out-of-state police agencies, and other government agencies have also been falsely represented. The consistent theme is the victim is directed to submit the “gift card bond.” The victim is told the “bond” will be refunded when the criminal issue is resolved. Since the cards are purchased then provided to the fictitious agents, there is no mechanism for reimbursing the victim. Similar scams have the victim going directly to the bank for withdrawals.

Anyone wishing to report this type of crime is encouraged to contact Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Telephone Reporting Unit by calling (951) 776-1099.