UPDATED: Suspect arrested in fatal Woodcrest stabbing
UPDATE #4: 08/05/2016 5 a.m. Second suspect arrested in connection with Woodcrest murder (Click link to see update regarding second arrest.
UPDATE: 08/03/2016 12:10 a.m. Suspect arrested
Joseph Morales was arrested today, Aug. 2 for the stabbing death of Michael Miller Jr.
Deputies and investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Perris Station and the sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit located and arrested Joseph Morales on August 2.
Officials arrested Morales in Moreno Valley on Heil Drive. The residence where Morales was located is west of Perris Boulevard and south of Brodiaea Avenue.
He was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of murder with malice, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder with malice and revocation of his parole.
He is being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 5 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
The investigation is on-going.
“The Central Homicide Unit will provide additional details of this investigation in a press release to follow,” according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Sergeant Raymond Huskey.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to immediately contact Investigator Jared Bishop of the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777, or Investigator Tom Salisbury of the Perris Station at (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file number PC162050023 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.
UPDATE: 07/30/2016 1 p.m. With suspect information
WOODCREST – Riverside County Sheriff’s officials have identified a man suspected in the stabbing death of Michael Miller Jr., 45, of Riverside. Miller was found barely clinging to life Saturday, July 23.
Deputies located Miller in the backyard of a home in the 18000 block of Hibiscus Avenue at 1:22 p.m. According to a Coroner’s report, Miller died 12 minutes after officials arrived. He was pronounced dead at the location at 1:34 p.m.
After developing investigative leads, Riverside County Sheriff’s officials identified Joseph William Morales, 30, as a suspect in Miller’s murder. He is actively being sought in Miller’s death.
“The Central Homicide Unit is asking for the public’s help in locating Morales…who has an active warrant for his arrest and is being sought for his involvement with the homicide investigation,” according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Raymond Huskey.
Morales reportedly lives northeast of Woodcrest in the same general area where Miller was found stabbed to death. Morales has several aliases and is known to go by the names Jeff Demico, Josh Smith, Joey or Jeff.
According to Huskey, Morales is 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs about 180 lbs, and has brown hair and green or hazel colored eyes. His date of birth is 11/20/1985.
Morales is known to carry knives and guns and is considered armed and dangerous. Due to the nature of the crime Morales is suspected of, sheriff’s officials have cautioned that anyone who sees Morales should not approach him, but immediately call 911 if he is located.
Anyone with information about the incident or Morales’ location is encouraged to immediately contact Investigator Jared Bishop of the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777, or Investigator Tom Salisbury of the Perris Station at (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file number PC162050023 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.
ORIGINAL STORY Man fatally stabbed in Woodcrest
WOODCREST – A man was fatally stabbed Saturday, July 23, in the 18000 block of Hibiscus Avenue in the unincorporated community of Woodcrest, according to a sheriff official.
Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Perris Station and other emergency first responders rushed to a 911 call of a man stabbed at a residence at about 1:22 p.m., according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Raymond Huskey.
Deputies and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire personnel arrived at the home within minutes and located an adult male suffering from multiple stab wounds in the backyard of the residence.
The victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators from the Perris Station and Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation.
The identification of the victim is being withheld pending notification of his family. “This is an ongoing investigation and no further information will be released at this time,” Huskey wrote in a press release about the deadly incident.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Jared Bishop of the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777, or Investigator Tom Salisbury of the Perris Station at (951) 210-1000. Callers can refer to incident file number PC162050023 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.
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Why weren’t the residents for Woodcrest notified this maniac is on the loose and why haven’t there been any updates, such as if he’s been caught or not.
I’m a resident of Woodcrest and we live in an area with large lots where anyone can hide. We should be fearful being in our own backyards.
Despite numerous leads and attempts to catch the suspect, they have not yet managed to. Definitely not for a lack of trying. He is slippery as hell, has lots of hiding places and friends willing to hide him.
HE HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND IS IN CUSTODY!!!!!! I AM WRITING MY UPDATE RIGHT NOW!!!!!
Well, I am glad they caught him. He had been hanging around my side yard of my house for the last couple of weeks. Chase him out of there a couple of times last week, my neighbor and l call the police earlier this week. Had no idea he was wanted for murder.
Before Miller and his roommate could answer, Morales charged the roommate, the affidavit said. Miller, in an effort to protect his roommate, struck Morales with a metal pipe. Morales then stabbed Miller with a sharp object, according to the affidavit. Miller walked outside to the backyard, where he collapsed and died.