Two Arrested After Moreno Valley Shooting

Photo courtesy of the Riverside Sheriff’s Department

By City News Service

Two men were behind bars Thursday after opening fire on people rummaging through trash cans.

Deputies were called at 8:26 a.m. Wednesday to a report of shots fired in the 23000 block of Ironwood Avenue, sheriff’s Sgt. Craig Roberts said.

Witnesses told officers that a burgundy Chevrolet Suburban sped away from the scene after several gunshots were heard.

Officers spotted the Suburban and made a traffic stop. The occupants said they had been at the Ironwood Avenue location looking through trash cans, when two men came out and started shooting at them, Roberts said.

The victims ran to the truck and sped off. The Suburban was hit by several bullets but no one was injured, Roberts said.

Investigators identified the alleged shooters as Fransisco Colato, 42, and Michael Colato, 21. Sheriff’s officials did not say how or if the men are related.

Both were arrested at their home in Moreno Valley and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center, where they were being held in lieu of $50,000 bail each, for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon.