PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEFS – September 7, 2017

At-risk missing person located safely

On Thursday, Aug. 31, at approximately 9 p.m., deputies responded to 45000 Block of Hwy. 74, Hemet, regarding a possible missing person. An extended family member reported 89-year-old Frank William Truitt as a missing person. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department K9 unit was summoned to the location and a bloodhound was used with negative results. A Silver Alert was initiated in an effort to locate Truitt. On Friday, Sept. 1, investigators were able to locate Truitt at a hospital outside of the area, where he was admitted for a preplanned medical procedure.

Suspicious letter causes evacuation

Agustin Jimenez, a 48-year-old Hemet resident, was arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter and DUI on Sept. 3 when he was released from a local hospital following a fatal traffic collision that occurred days earlier.
On Aug. 31 at about 7 p.m., Jimenez was driving a Chevrolet truck westbound on Domenigoni Parkway, approaching a red light at Sanderson Avenue. According to a press release from Hemet Police Department (HPD), Jimenez was allegedly driving at least 100 mph and rear-ended a Toyota Prius that was stopped for the red light at Sanderson Avenue. The driver of the Toyota, Jose Manahan, 51, from Menifee, was severely injured and transported to a local hospital where he died, according to the Coroner’s office. Jimenez also suffered injuries in the collision and was transported to a local hospital. Evidence located at the scene combined with the initial investigation revealed that Jimenez was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.
Believing that Jimenez was a flight risk, HPD traffic investigators obtained a bail enhancement and stood guard at the hospital until Jimenez was released. Upon his release from the hospital, HPD officers arrested Jimenez and booked him into the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta. Bail is set at $500,000 and he is set to be arraigned today.

Hemet man arrested after fatal collision on Domenigoni Pkwy

Augustin Jimenez, a 48 year old Hemet resident was arrested at about 7 pm on Sep. 3rd when he was released from a local hospital.
On August 31st at about 7 pm, Jimenez was driving a Chevrolet Truck westbound on Domenigoni Parkway, approaching a red light at Sanderson Ave. Jimenez was driving at least 100 mph and rear ended a Toyota Prius that was stopped for the red light at Sanderson Av. The driver of the Toyota was severely injured and transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Jimenez was also injured in the collision and was transported to a local hospital as well. Evidence located at the scene combined with the initial investigation revealed that Jimenez was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision. Believing that Jimenez was a flight risk, Hemet Police traffic investigators obtained a bail enhancement and stood guard at the hospital until Jimenez was released. Upon his release from the hospital, Hemet Police Officers arrested Jimenez and transported him to the Riverside County Jail.
The driver of the Toyota has been identified by the Coroner as Jose Manahan, a 51 year old resident of Menifee.
Arrested: Augustin Jimenez, 48 year old resident of Hemet
Charges: Gross Vehicular Manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol, causing injury
Bail: $500.000.00

Fire camp escapee arrested in Banning

Julio Lugo, an inmate at the Riverside County Jail who was participating in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Fire Camp program at the Oak Glen Conservation Camp, escaped from custody on Aug. 25 at about 3 a.m.
Lugo was participating in the Fire Camp program as part of the Riverside Alternative Sentencing Program (RASP). CDCR personnel requested the Riverside Sheriff’s Department for assistance in locating and apprehending Lugo. Members of the CDCR Special Services Unit went to several known locations frequented by Lugo.
On Monday, Aug. 28 about 4 p.m., the Riverside Sheriff’s Department-Felony Warrant Enforcement Team (FWET) located Lugo at an address in the 1300 Block of N. Murray St. in Banning. FWET personnel, with the assistance of Banning Police Department, the Cabazon Sheriff’s Station K-9 unit, and RASP deputies responded and arrested Lugo as he tried to evade officers by running into the backyard. Lugo was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact RASP Deputy D. Correa at 951-922-7695.