Both Suspects Involved In Incident That Injured Hemet PD Officer Arrested
Written by Trevor Montgomery
On Tuesday, November 3rd, at about 9:56 am, officers from the Hemet Police Department responded to the 1600 block of east Florida Ave., in regards to the report of suspicious activity occurring inside a vehicle parked near the Provident Bank at the location.
Upon arrival, Hemet Police Officers contacted two subjects sitting inside a burgundy truck. From the moment of the initial contact, both the driver and passenger were extremely uncooperative with the officers.
The driver of the vehicle, later identified as Vincent Arresperalta, a 21-year-old resident of San Jacinto, began reaching under the seat of his vehicle. Arresperalta was given several loud verbal commands by the officer to stop reaching under the seat of the truck.
One officer on the driver’s side of the truck attempted to prevent Arresperalta from continuing to reach under the seat, at which time the driver began to fight with the officer. The officer was able to physically subdue and detain the driver, while the passenger was removed from the vehicle by another officer.
Kenneth Hurtado , 19, of Hemet
Vincent Arresperalta , 21, of San Jacinto
During the arrest of the passenger, later identified as Kenneth Hurtado, a 19-year-old Hemet Resident, began to violently resist arrest, at which time the officer sustained a serious injury to his hand, that required later medical treatment. The injury was described as a broken finger. The passenger fled from the officer and the injured officer pursued Hurtado on foot. The officer lost sight of Hurtado in the area of San Jacinto St. and Florida Ave.
Hemet Police conducted an exhaustive search for the passenger that lasted for several hours and led to a least two area schools to activate their “Shelter-In-Place” protocols. In spite of an extensive search using trained bloodhounds and countless officers, Hurtado was not immediately located.
A later search of the truck was conducted and three loaded firearms were located inside the vehicle. One of the guns had been reported as stolen out of the City of Hemet. Drugs were also located in the vehicle which confirmed the suspicious drug activity that was initially called into Hemet Police.
At 7:50 pm officers obtained further evidence, including video footage from a neighboring business which assisted in identifying the suspect as Kenneth Hurtado.
Once Hurtado had been identified, officers from the Hemet Police Department with assistance from the Hemet Police Crime Suppression Unit, and the Hemet/San Jacinto Gang Task Force, went to the 43000 block of Tiber Street, in the unincorporated area of Hemet. They located Hurtado at a private residence at which time he was taken into custody without further incident.
Arresperalta was booked for possession of a stolen firearm, possession of drugs for sale, and other related charges. Arresperalta’s bail was set at $25,000.00
Hurtado was booked for resisting arrest, assault on a Peace Officer, felon in possession of a firearm, violation of parole and other related charges. Hurtado was being held without bail.
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How sad once again these young boys raised with no standards and how to be a productive citizen and obey the law. So many young kids are lost and turn to what they see as normal because they were never given the proper guidance as they were growing up. Both of these guys are repeated felony offenders, what a shame. So young, so lost!
You know nothing of their parents. It’s not from a lack of parenting, guidance or no standards.
It’s about “CHOICE” and the choices made here are clearly troublesome.
Yes its about choices I agree I have had to come to that conclusion with my sons choices and he agrees so now he stays in jail for three years. 🙁