NORCO: Eastvale resident arrested, accused of sexually battering women, child at business

NORCO — Authorities arrested an Eastvale man they say sexually assaulted two women and a juvenile, Tuesday, Sept. 12. The alleged suspect was arrested Sunday, Sept. 17, after he returned to the same business several days after the incident was reported.

The victims were assaulted at a business in the 1200 block of Hamner Avenue in the City of Norco, according to sheriff’s officials who say they are seeking other possible victims who might not yet have come forward or reported the incidents.

After an investigation, deputies arrested 30-year-old, Miguel Angel Muro Medina. He was arrested at his Cornwallis Court residence in Eastvale’s Cimarron Ranch community; less than six miles from where the alleged incidents occurred.

Medina was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of “several counts of sexual battery,” Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Andrew Elia explained in a written press release after Medina’s arrest.

Although Medina was arrested, an online jail record search revealed he was released from jail the day after his arrest, after posting $5,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Riverside Hall Of Justice, Oct. 17.

“The Norco Sheriff’s Office is concerned there may be additional victims who might have been assaulted by the same suspect,” Elia said in the release.

The investigation began last Tuesday at 3:52 p.m., when deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Norco Police Office responded to the business, which officials did not name, after receiving reports of a sexual battery at the location.

Two women and a juvenile told investigating deputies that a man, who was later identified as Medina, had sexually battered them while they were inside the business.

“All three incidents occurred inside of the business, while the victims were shopping,” said Elia, who did not specify the age or sex of the child, or specify the nature or extent of the alleged battery.

Deputies were called back to the business about 3:57 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, after sharp-eyed employees “spotted the man back in the business,” Elia explained; saying, “The suspect was able to flee the location prior to the arrival of the deputies.”

During their investigation, deputies located and collected closed circuit surveillance footage that captured Medina on video, Elia explained in the release.

Based on the video and other evidence collected, deputies developed “investigative leads” that led to Medina’s identification and arrest the following day.

Anyone with information about this incident and arrest or who believes they may have been victimized by Medina is encouraged to contact Deputy Robertson of the Norco Sheriff’s Office at 270-5673. Callers can refer to incident file number G172550034 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.