Brothers nabbed with 19 pounds of heroin during auto theft investigation

LAKE ELSINORE — An auto theft investigation earlier this week led to the arrest of two brothers, including one man from Perris and another from Lake Elsinore.

The ongoing theft investigation is being led by members of the Riverside Auto-Theft Interdiction Detail, a multi-agency task force comprised of law enforcement personnel from the California Highway Patrol, Riverside Sheriff’s Department, Riverside Police Department, Cathedral City Police Department, Murrieta Police Department, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, National Insurance Crime Bureau, and the Department of Insurance.

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As part of an ongoing auto theft investigation, RAID members conducted a probation search on the 400 block of East Hill, in Lake Elsinore, Tuesday, Nov. 6. During the search task force members contacted alleged auto theft suspect, 26-year-old, Ernesto Valenzuela Beltran, and his brother, Luis Valenzuela Beltran, 24.

While searching Ernesto’s residence officials discovered “a large amount of powdered Heroin inside a bedroom, Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Sean Brown explained after the brothers’ arrests.

RAID’s investigation led to the other brother’s residence in the 2100 block of Jean Marie, in Perris, where task force members found more narcotics, according to Brown.

During the two searches, RAID members seized a total of 19 pounds of heroin, with an approximate street value of over $1 million.  “Evidence of narcotics sales, and a large amount of cash was also seized,” said Brown.

Both brothers were arrested and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for various felony charges related to possession of heroin for sales. Jail records indicate both men were released Nov. 8, after posting $250,000 bail each.

This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the R.A.I.D. Task Force at (951) 955-2770. Callers can refer to incident file number ZE183100001 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of 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 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.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 14 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.