RivCo Firefighter Accused Of Sexual Assaults Arrested: Sheriff

RIVERSIDE, CA — A 51-year-old Riverside County firefighter was arrested on Friday after he was accused of committing multiple sexual assaults, including forcible rape, authorities said.

Deputies served a search warrant in the 1000 block of Magnolia Avenue in Placentia and took David Renteria III into custody without incident, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Last month, authorities opened an investigation into allegations of sexual assault involving an on-duty Cal Fire firefighter-paramedic identified as Renteria, a resident of Placentia. During the investigation, deputies identified two victims who reported being sexually assaulted by Renteria, said Sheriff's Sgt. Aaron Wolfe.

Renteria was booked Friday at the Robert Presley Detention Center for false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon, rape by force or fear, sexual penetration by force or fear, and multiple felony sexual assault charges, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Bail information was not immediately available.

Cal Fire is aware of the allegations and are cooperating with the investigation, authorities said.

The identities of the two women were not disclosed, nor were the circumstances behind the alleged assaults.

Renteria's length of service with Cal Fire, with which the county contracts for fire protection services, could not immediately be confirmed. His post-arrest employment status also wasn't available, but Cal Fire had been informed that he was booked into jail, Wolfe said.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims, and anyone with information was asked to contact the sheriff's department at either 951-955- 1700, or 951-776-1099.

City News Service contributed to this report.