MORENO VALLEY: Knife-wielding man who fought with deputies dies in custody

MORENO VALLEY — Homicide officials are investigating the death of a man who died after fighting with deputies and being taken into custody yesterday morning. The man’s death followed an armed confrontation between him and his family members, according to sheriff’s officials now investigating the man’s death.

The disturbance that led to the deadly incident happened in a residential neighborhood on the 24000 block of Jonna St., Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Wallace Clear explained after the man’s death. The neighborhood is southwest of Alessandro Blvd. and Indian St., in Moreno Valley.

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In an initial press release after the July 4 incident, sheriff’s officials identified 50-year-old, Jose Abraham Orellana, as the man who died in custody.

The incident that led to Orellana’s death began when deputies assigned to Moreno Valley Police Department responded to a family disturbance shortly before 11 a.m.

Deputies responding to the Jonna St. home learned Orellana had “brandished a knife at family members which caused them to flee the residence for their safety,” according to Clear.

Deputies arrived at the home within minutes and reportedly encountered Orellana inside the residence, according to officials.

“Orellana was combative with the officers and was taken to the ground and handcuffed,” Clear explained.

“Shortly afterwards, Orellana appeared to suffer medical problems and paramedics were called to the scene,” Clear continued. “Orellana was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment and was later declared deceased.”

Based on the circumstances, investigators from the Moreno Valley Police Department and the Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit responded to the scene and assumed the investigation which is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Investigator Paz at (951) 955-2777, or Moreno Valley Police Department Investigator Patterson at (951) 486-6700. Callers can refer to incident file number MV181850137 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

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Trevor Montgomery, 46, recently moved to Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations, including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook, as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and The Mountain Echo in Shasta 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. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s 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.