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Riverside
Police Department
Press Release
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For Immediate Release |
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Date |
June 20, 2002 |
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Contact |
Lieutenant John Wallace |
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Phone |
(909) 826-5836 |
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Fax |
(909) 826-5699 |
Jeffery Owens Homicide
Investigation Fact Sheet
Riverside, Ca- Jeffery Owens 40, of Moreno
Valley was fatally wounded in a stabbing attack on June 5, 2002, in the parking
lot of the Menagerie bar, located in the 3500 block of University Avenue. Also
injured in the attack was Michael Bussee, 48 of Riverside his injuries were not
life threatening.
RADIO TRAFFIC:
- 11:53 PM officers respond to the Menagerie on a call of a fight with 6
Hispanic male adults listed as suspects. The caller reports that a
derogatory gay term is yelled out.
- Officers arrive at 11:56 PM and report all suspects and victims are gone
from the location.
- 1:13 AM (June 6, 2002) Officers respond to Riverside County Regional
Medical Center on a report of a stabbing victim from the Menagerie.
- 09:56 AM (June 6, 2002) Riverside Police Department is notified that Mr.
Jeffery Owens has died as a result of his injuries.
THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
- The victim, Mr. Owens, and three friends were standing by one of their cars
that were parked to the rear of the Menagerie. The four friends were looking
at photographs.
- At least two of a group of four Hispanic male adults approached the group.
One of the suspects struck the first victim in his face.
- As that victim was scrambling to get inside the vehicle he received
another blow, which was later discovered to be a stab wound.
- Three of the friends got into the vehicle. Mr. Owens ran to the back patio
of the Menagerie to call for help. This prompted the call to dispatch at
11:53 PM.
- Mr. Owens confronts the suspects. One suspect is heard making a derogatory
remark about Mr. Owens’s sexual orientation. The suspect states, "We
will give you a fight".
- The suspects attack the victim and flee the area.
- The two men who had received the stab wounds are unaware of their
injuries. Two of the men are dropped at their vehicle and the other two
begin to drive home.
- Mr. Owens realized he was seriously injured and his companion drives him
to the hospital where they discover he has been stabbed.
- The two friends arrived at the hospital where the second victim learns he
has been stabbed.
THE INVESTIGATION
:
- Detective Rita Cobb (909-320-8027) is the lead investigator on the case.
Detectives Fred Kelvington (909-320-8062), Greg Rowe (909-320-8024), and
Steve Shumway (909-320-8011) are assisting in the investigation.
- Detectives combed the downtown business and bar area in efforts to track
the suspect’s actions prior to the assault.
- Business and bar patrons in the area were willing to speak with the
detectives and they provided numerous leads. All of these leads are being
followed up and several appear point in the same direction.
- The detectives have received numerous calls from citizens with further
leads, all requiring follow-up. The number of calls from the public on this
case has been particularly high.
- Two composite drawings of one of the suspects were made into a police
bulletin. Detectives at the memorial vigil distributed over three hundred
copies on June 9, 2002.
- Countless interviews with persons with pertinent information and continued
contact with the Riverside County District Attorneys office, lead detectives
to be able to secure 5 search warrants related to this homicide.
- These search warrants were executed simultaneously on Thursday, June 19,
2002 @ 0700 hours. Three of the search warrants were served in the City of
Riverside and 2 others were in the Riverside County area of Highgrove.
- Four persons have been arrested in connection to this homicide and
assault.
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Viviano Cruz Marin
25 years Male Hispanic, Riverside
PC§ 187. Murder
PC§ 186.22. Participation in Criminal Street Gang
PC§ 422.75(c) Hate Crime Enhancement |
Miguel Angel Ramos
28 years Male Hispanic, Riverside
PC§ 187. Murder
PC§ 186.22. Participation in Criminal Street Gang
PC§ 422.75(c) Hate Crime Enhancement |
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Ramin Meza Rabago
18 years Male Hispanic, Riverside
PC§ 187. Murder
PC§ 186.22. Participation in Criminal Street Gang
PC§ 422.75(c) Hate Crime Enhancement |
Dorian Lee Gutierrez
18 years Male Hispanic, Riverside
PC§ 187. Murder
PC§ 664/187. Attempted Murder
PC§ 186.22. Participation in Criminal Street Gang
PC§ 422.75(c) Hate Crime Enhancement |
- All are known gang members
who frequent the downtown area. The investigation is continuing.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
- Assistant Chief Mike Smith, Lt. Mark Boyer, Lt. John Wallace, and Lt.
Meredyth Meredith met with the Western Inland Empire Coalition Against Hate on
June 7, 2002, to relay the Department’s concern over this crime.
- Chief Russ Leach and Lt. John Wallace gave presentations on hate crimes at
the Human Relations Commission special meeting on June 13, 2002.