5 Killings In 6 Days Near Southwest Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — It's been a bloody week as authorities from the Perris and Lake Elsinore sheriff's stations continue to investigate five killings and a handful of attempted killings.

The most recent homicides were reported around 3:50 p.m. Monday when deputies from the Perris station were called to Perris Valley Cemetery, where three men were killed.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said Tuesday that the three killings were meant to "send a message for something."

Bianco held a news briefing with Perris Mayor Michael Vargas to provide general information regarding the cemetery killings, in the 900 block of North Perris Boulevard, that occurred Sunday night or in the predawn hours Monday.

Though no suspects have been arrested, Bianco said, the "regular residents of Perris should not be concerned with their safety. Be aware. Report things that seem abnormal. Because there have been several homicides in the last month doesn't mean their safety is compromised."

Bianco said the three dead Hispanic men, who have now been identified by the coroner's bureau, were targeted in what appeared to be an "assassination or execution."

"Three people killed at the same time — that was a message for something, whether it was for someone else or for them," he said. "It certainly is not the norm. We're trying to figure out why they were there, and who was there with them."

The sheriff acknowledged hearing of speculation that the men's deaths may have been tied to the slaying of a 36-year-old restaurateur who was abducted and shot to death recently on a roadside in Mexico. The victim's grave possibly was where the men's bodies were laid.

"We're looking into whether this is gang-related or cartel-related," the sheriff said.

Two other homicides in and around Perris over the past week were not connected to the latest killings, Bianco confirmed.

Around 3:50 p.m. Sunday, deputies from the Lake Elsinore Station were called to Mountain Avenue and Marie Street in Good Hope to investigate a report of a shooting on a large property. One man was found dead and another wounded; both had been shot, according to the sheriff's department.

The dead man was identified as Faustino Mayares, 30, of Perris. The wounded man was taken to a local hospital and was expected to survive his injuries.

There are no reports of arrests in either case.

In yet another incident, deputies were summoned around 6:11 p.m. Feb. 12 to Paragon Park, at 264 Spectacular Bid St. in Perris, and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite medical treatment, the victim died at the scene, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

He was identified as 25-year-old Jose Eduardo Bellozo from Perris.

A search for Bellozo's "armed and dangerous" killer ended in an arrest Saturday of 38-year-old Renato Ivan Sanchez, who remained in custody on suspicion of murder. He is due in court Thursday, according to jail records.

Bianco said the cases are not connected in "any way, shape or form. They have their own fact patterns."

Separately, two juveniles were wounded Monday in a Perris shooting, and an 18-year-old man and three juveniles were arrested in connection with the attack, authorities said.

The shooting was reported at 3:32 p.m. in the 500 block of Indian Hills Circle, Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Chad Thompson said.

The victims were treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to a hospital for further treatment of their wounds, which were not considered to be life-threatening, Thompson said.

A firearm was recovered during a search of the scene, he said.

Gabriel Vasquez, 18, of Perris, and three juveniles were arrested, Thompson said.

Vasquez was booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Thompson said. Two juveniles were booked into Juvenile Hall on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, and one juvenile was booked into juvenile hall on suspicion of firearm possession.

The ages and genders of all the juveniles were not available.

Vargas said Perris' rise in violence is alarming to the City Council.

"We think public safety is highly important," the mayor said. "We know the sheriff will handle the investigation thoroughly. But if residents in the community hear or see something going on, please call the sheriff."

He said the council will hold a special session Feb. 27 to consider whether additional law enforcement resources need to be deployed.

Anyone with information is urged sheriff's Central Homicide Unit at 951-955- 2777.

—City News Service contributed to this report.