EASTVALE: Off-duty Pomona PD officer shoots at suspects during daytime burglary

EASTVALE — Officials are investigating after an off-duty city of Pomona police officer opened fire at one of three men who broke into his home Saturday afternoon, Dec. 23. All three alleged suspects managed to flee from the home after the shooting, which happened on the 6400 block of Caxton Street, south of Limonite Avenue and east of Hamner Avenue, in Eastvale.

Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Eastvale Police Station, responded to the home  about 1:37 p.m., after receiving a 911 call reporting a burglary and shooting that just occurred at the location, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Ben Ramirez explained after the incident.

When deputies arrived at the location they met with the off-duty officer who advised them he and another person were inside the home when they heard several subjects inside the residence.

“The off-duty officer armed himself and confronted two suspects in an upstairs room,” said Ramirez. “After confronting the suspects at gunpoint, the victim fired several times at one suspect after the homeowner feared for his life.”

After the shooting the suspects, none of whom were believed to have been struck by gunfire, fled the residence.

Additional deputies and investigators from the Jurupa Valley Station secured the scene and canvased the surrounding neighborhoods while searching for the three alleged burglars

Neighbors described the three suspects to investigating deputies as three Black men, ages 18-28 years, with thin to medium build, according to Ramirez. The three men reportedly fled from the area in a gray Hyundai.

Based on the circumstances, investigators from the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation.

During their investigation, investigators found signs of forced entry into the residence, according to Ramirez.

The shooting investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Martinez at the Jurupa Valley Station at (951) 955-2600, or Investigator Bishop at the Central Homicide Unit at (951) 955-2777. Callers can refer to incident file number EV173570054 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.