Staff Reports

Inland Empire – Last month, several crime incidents took place in Eastvale and Norco.  The incidents are listed below, courtesy of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. 

INCIDENT: Mail Theft / Arrest

WHEN: December 27, 2019  

WHERE: 5th Street and Hillside Avenue, Norco

On December 27, at about11:27 AM deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department-Norco Station, responded to the area of 5th Street near the intersection with Hillside Avenue to investigate a report of a man and woman stealing mail from residential mailboxes in the area. Deputies were able to contact the suspects and identify them as Marlene Cambara, a 39-year-old, Hispanic female, who is resident in the Corona area; and, Tony Basenback Jr., a 24-year-old, White male adult, who is resident in the Riverside area. Witnesses identified both suspects as the persons spotted stealing mail in the area.

Both suspects were arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention center for charges related to the theft. Both suspects are being held on $10,000 bail.  Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Deputy S. Lycopolus at 951-270-5673.

INCIDENT: DUI / Driver’s License Checkpoint

WHEN: December 21, 2019  

WHERE: Undisclosed location within the city of Eastvale

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Jurupa Valley Station conducted a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on December 21. The checkpoint was on Limonite Avenue and Cloverdale Marketplace, in Eastvale between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. During the checkpoint operation a total of 866 vehicles were screened resulting in the following:

• 1 – Driver was arrested for driving under the influence
• 14 – Drivers were cited / arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed or with a suspended / revoked license.
• 6 vehicles towed

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Last year deputies from the Jurupa Valley Station (Eastvale) investigated 9 DUI collisions which claimed 1 life and resulted in another 6 injuries.

Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be approximately $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.

Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

INCIDENT: Major Injury Traffic Collision

WHEN: December 16, 2019  

WHERE: Archibald Avenue cross of Baron Road, Eastvale 

On December 16, at about 5:23 AM, deputies from the Jurupa Valley Station responded to a report of a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian in Eastvale.

Upon arrival, deputies located a male adult with major injuries. The male was transported to a local hospital for his injuries.  The driver of the vehicle was uninjured and stayed on scene for the investigation. The Jurupa Valley Station’s Traffic Reconstruction Team is conducting a full investigation to determine the cause of the collision.

Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call Deputy Medina at the Jurupa Valley Station, 951-955-2600.  Persons who wish to report 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: Forgery / Arrest

WHEN: December 9, 2019

WHERE: 2400 block of River Road, Norco

On December 9, 2019, about 10:12 PM, deputies from the Riverside Sheriff’s Department Norco station responded to a business located in the City of Norco to investigate a report of a forgery. The investigation revealed video showing suspect, 30-year-old Giana Bruneio, resident of the city of Pomona, enter the business. Bruneio attempted to use a fraudulently altered Coinstar receipt to receive more cash than the receipt was worth. The video also revealed she arrived in a vehicle with an accomplice.

Members of the Norco Special Enforcement Team responded to Bruneio’s home of record in the city of Pomona where they ultimately identified her accomplice as suspect, 26-year-old Wesley Wooten, a resident of Pomona. Evidence of the crime[s] was collected at the suspects residence. Both suspects were arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for charges related to the fraud. Bruneio’s bail was set at $20, 000. Wooten’s bail was set at $50,000.

INCIDENT: Assault Causing Great Bodily Injury/Elder Abuse-Arrest

WHEN: December 6, 2019

WHERE: 1700 Block of Hillside Avenue, Norco

On Friday, December 06, 2019, deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department-Norco Station responded to a residence in the 1700 block Hillside, Norco, to investigate a reported assault. The victim reported to have been chocked and battered by a former tenant and acquaintance, who had illegally entered the victim’s residence for the purpose of stealing an automobile belonging to the victim.

The victim positively identified his former tenant, a white male and 27-years of age resident of Norco, Paul Stephen Otto, as the person responsible for the crime of assault causing great bodily injury. Paul Otto fled the scene in an older silver Volvo sedan which was registered to himself. The 83-year-old victim was treated for injuries at the scene. Paul Otto was later seen in front of the Norco Station where an attempt was made to detain him. Paul Otto fled south on Hamner Avenue, at a high rate of speed in the Volvo. Paul Otto evaded deputies and caused a traffic collision at the intersection of Hamner Avenue and First Street. Neither party involved in the traffic collision sustained any injuries.

As a result of the collision, Paul Otto damaged his vehicle deeming it inoperable. The vehicle came to a stop on Hamner Avenue south of First Street. Paul Otto was taken into custody without incident and transported to a nearby hospital for medical clearance prior to booking.

He was medically cleared and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for the above listed charges and is being held on $300,000 bail.

Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is encouraged to contact Deputy Lycopolus at (951) 270-5673.