Latest news with #RiversidePolice
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
California man arrested after running down 'No Kings Day' marcher in Riverside
A 58-year-old convicted felon accused of intentionally driving into a crowd of protesters marching along a downtown Riverside street, seriously injuring one of them, pleaded not guilty Friday to felony charges, along with his girlfriend. Russell Alan Prentice and 39-year-old Candase Wenzel, both of Riverside, were arrested Monday following a Riverside Police Department investigation that began Saturday night. Prentice is charged with assault using a deadly weapon, hit-and-run and sentence-enhancing allegations of inflicting great bodily injury and leaving the victim comatose. Wenzel is charged with being an accessory after the fact. The defendants were jointly arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Melissa Hale, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for July 1 at the Riverside Hall of Justice. The pair are being held at the Robert Presley Jail —Prentice on $1 million bail, Wenzel on $10,000 bail. "From the officers in the field that night to our detectives who immediately launched the investigation, along with support from our Crime Analysis Unit, this case was solved quickly thanks to their combined efforts," police Chief Larry Gonzalez said Tuesday. "Equally important were the tips we received from our community, and we're grateful for the information they provided." Here's what to know about the case. Prentice was driving his SUV in the area of University Avenue and Orange Street shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday when he encountered marchers taking part in one of the many "No Kings" rallies that occurred nationwide. The organized events drew a variety of interests to denounce the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions and other policies, timed to coincide with the 47th president's birthday. Police spokesman Officer Ryan Railsback alleged that Prentice floored his SUV, aiming directly for a number of demonstrators making their way along University, between Orange and Main streets. A young woman was unable to jump out of the vehicle's path and was struck. "The SUV then fled the scene," the police spokesman said. The victim, whose identity was not disclosed, was taken to Riverside Community Hospital, where she remained in critical but stable condition Friday. "Officers found the suspect vehicle's license plate number, and detectives from the Robbery-Homicide Unit began their investigation and subsequently identified the suspect driver," Railsback said. A search warrant was served at Prentice's residence on Jackson Street Monday afternoon, when the defendant was taken into custody without incident. "Detectives also arrested Wenzel ... for her role in taking the suspect vehicle to Phelan, intentionally destroying and concealing evidence," Railsback said. She was taken into custody at the same time and place as Prentice. He has documented prior felony convictions in another jurisdiction that weren't listed in court records. Wenzel has no documented priors. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California man arrested after running down 'No Kings Day' marcher
The Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
2 arrests in hit-and-run at Southern California ‘No Kings' protest
Two people were arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash at a weekend 'No Kings' protest in Southern California that left a 21-year-old demonstrator seriously injured, authorities said. The SUV veered toward marchers Saturday night in Riverside, east of Los Angeles, and struck the woman, according to investigators. She remained hospitalized in critical condition, the Riverside Police Department said in a statement Tuesday. After a search aided by tips from the public, police arrested the suspected driver, a 58-year-old Riverside man, on Monday, the police statement said. He could face charges including assault with a deadly weapon and hit-and-run causing injury. Also arrested was a 39-year-old Riverside woman suspected of taking the SUV into an unincorporated area of the Mojave Desert and 'intentionally destroying and concealing evidence,' the statement said. She could face charges including accessory after the fact and destruction of evidence. 'No Kings' protests swept across the country on Saturday, and organizers said millions rallied against what they described as President Donald Trump's authoritarian tendencies. Confrontations were largely isolated. In Utah, a demonstrator was inadvertently fatally shot by a 'safety volunteer' who was trying to stop an alleged gunman at the rally in Salt Lake City, according to police and organizers. Outside the Arizona statehouse, a social media video showed protesters Saturday jeering at and then skirmishing with a masked man, who eventually pulled out a handgun, causing the crowd to scatter. Another video showed Arizona Department of Public Safety officers taking the man into custody.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Riverside ‘No Kings' protester struck in felony hit-and-run, suspect at large
A woman participating in Riverside's 'No Kings' protest on Saturday night was taken to a hospital after being struck by what police are investigating as a felony hit-and-run. According to the Riverside Police Department, the incident happened downtown around 9:40 p.m. on University Avenue near the intersection with Orange Street. Footage from the scene posted to social media shows protesters running up to a black car, which then turns in an aggressive manner and plows into what appeared to be multiple people, though officials did not mention other injuries. The car skids off, and a crowd is seen rushing over to where the woman was hit. One woman is heard yelling, 'They just ran over my sister!' The protester was hospitalized with significant injuries, police said, but was last reported to be in stable condition. Officials did not immediately provide a suspect description. An active search is underway for the suspect, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Riverside police. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested for allegedly committing lewd acts near Riverside high school
A man was arrested for allegedly committing lewd acts near a high school in Riverside. In January 2025, Riverside Police began investigating after receiving several reports of a man engaging in lewd behavior while inside a car that was parked next to Abraham Lincoln High School. At least three female witnesses reported seeing the man masturbating while he sat inside his black Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan, police said. Investigators later identified the suspect as Francis Ledesma Castillo, 37, of Garden Grove. On May 1, Castillo was located by officers in Garden Grove, where he was taken into custody. While serving a search warrant at his home, police found several unregistered firearms, including an illegally manufactured AR-style rifle, along with armor-piercing ammunition. Castillo was arrested on multiple charges, including annoying or molesting children, indecent exposure, and various weapons violations. Investigators released Castillo's booking photo and images of his car as they search for more victims. 'We believe Mr. Ledesma Castillo may have committed similar lewd acts in his black Mercedes-Benz near many other schools across Riverside and Orange counties over the past year,' said Riverside Police Captain Chad Milby. 'It's likely there are additional victims who have not yet come forward.' Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Officer Francisco Madrigal at 951-826-5638 or FMadrigal@ or contact Detective Andre Sanchez at 951-353-7133 or AMSanchez@ Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Riverside Police Department's 'Atlas 1' mobile app by using the 'Send a Message' feature. App downloads for Apple devices can be found here. Android device downloads can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Haunting photo of hours-old newborn dumped in trash can with umbilical cord still attached
A chilling image has captured a newborn baby boy who was discovered abandoned next to a dumpster with his umbilical cord still attached. The tiny infant was found crying beside the trash at an apartment complex in Riverside, California, on Sunday afternoon after residents reported hearing a baby's cries coming from the area. Police are now searching tirelessly for the mother who abandoned the helpless newborn. Officers responded to the 3800 block of Jackson Street around 2:30pm, when they discovered the helpless newborn still breathing, according to a news release by the Riverside Police Department. 'When officers arrived, they found a newborn baby boy lying next to a dumpster, breathing, crying, and with the umbilical cord still attached,' the news release states. Paramedics rushed the baby to a hospital directly across the street where he is now reported to be in 'good health and stable condition.' Riverside Police Department investigators believe the baby was delivered just hours before being abandoned and fear the mother may need medical attention. A haunting photo has captured the hours-old newborn getting treatment in the hospital. 'Our primary concern is locating the mother to ensure her own health and safety, and getting her any medical care or support she may need,' the police spokesperson wrote. Detectives are asking for the public's help in identifying anyone who may have been recently pregnant but is now without a newborn. Detective Jessica Iniguez, who is leading the investigation, urged anyone with information to come forward. Authorities emphasized that California's Safely Surrendered Baby Law allows parents to legally hand over newborns within 72 hours of birth with no questions asked - a measure specifically designed to prevent dangerous abandonments. Under the law, which was made permanent in 2006, parents can surrender babies at any hospital or fire station in Riverside County without fear of prosecution. The incident has sparked outrage from the local community, with many expressing relief that the baby was found alive. 'Bless his little heart,' one user commented. 'Thank you Lord for watching over him and leading the Good Samaritan to find him, calling the police. My gut tells me it's a young teenage mom Many offered support and help, with some local residents even asking if they can adopt the newborn. 'How can I take care of him? I would love to help this little one,' wrote one user. Another commented: 'I have breastmilk I'd love to donate to feed this sweetie!!! It has colostrum and will benefit baby so much.' Others pointed out that we still don't know the whole story and should not be quick to judge the mother before the truth comes out. 'For everyone blaming the mother you have no idea what the circumstances could be. It's possible that the mother is not the one who dropped the baby off and the mother is in a horrible situation.' 'This is a reminder that we as neighbors need to look out for our other neighbors and if you see something suspicious report it. Hopefully this baby finds a home that will love him unconditionally and hopefully the mother is OK as well.'
