Man Arraigned For Alleged Attack At Lake Elsinore Business

MURRIETA, CA — A man who allegedly tried to shoot a patron at a Lake Elsinore business pleaded not guilty Monday to attempted murder and other felony charges.

Joseph David Telles, 34, of El Cerrito was arrested in December following a nearly three-week-long sheriff's investigation into the attack in the 31000 block of Riverside Drive, just off of Lakeshore Drive.

Along with the attempted murder count, Telles is charged with gun assault and reckless discharge of a firearm.

He was arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Kelly Hansen, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Feb. 26 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta. The defendant is being held in lieu of $1.1 million bail at the nearby Byrd Detention Center.

Sheriff's Sgt. Brett Seckinger alleged that Telles went to the unnamed Riverside Drive business about 6 p.m. on Dec. 2 and opened fire with a handgun, targeting a man whose name was withheld.

After allegedly firing several shots, Telles fled the scene, according to Seckinger, who said no one was hurt.

Deputies swept the area, but could not locate the gunman. Over the next several weeks, detectives gathered information from witnesses and developed leads pointing to Telles as the alleged perpetrator. A possible motive for the attack was not disclosed.

The defendant was arrested without incident at his workplace on Minneapolis Street in Corona on Dec. 20.

According to court records, he has a prior misdemeanor conviction for drug-related activity.

— By City News Service / Image via Riverside County Sheriff's Department