Teen arrested after months of Norco HS threats

NORCO — Authorities investigating numerous threats of violence against Norco High School that spanned several months announced the arrest of a teen they allege was responsible for the threats that officials say tied up Sheriff’s resources, delayed school schedules, and greatly inconvenienced students, faculty, and parents.

Although investigating deputies later determined the threats were not credible the alleged suspect was processed on charges of making false bomb reports and threats of violence, according to sheriff officials.

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Beginning last August, Norco Sheriff’s Office received several school violence-related threats from a then unidentified suspect, Riverside Sheriff’s Lt. E. Briddick explained after the boy’s apprehension. The threats were directed toward Norco High School, located at 2065 Temescal Avenue, in the city of Norco.

In each instance, the Norco Sheriff’s Office responded to the high school and conducted thorough safety sweeps to ensure the safety of students and faculty and beefed up security on the campus.

The investigation was eventually assumed by Norco Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team, who spent several months tracking down leads in trying to identify and locate the suspect, according to Briddick.

As their investigation was continuing, the Jurupa Valley Station school resource officer assigned to the high school developed information that led to the suspect’s identity and residence location.

On Monday, Nov. 12, deputies assigned to the School Resource Officer Unit, with assistance from Norco Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team and the Department’s Special Investigation Bureau, served a search warrant at a Corona residence.

During the service of that warrant, deputies detained the alleged suspect. He has only been identified as a male juvenile due to his age. Deputies also recovered evidence related to the crime, according to Briddick.

The suspect was subsequently arrested and transported to the Norco Sheriff’s Office for processing.

Briddick used the opportunity to remind area residents that anyone making bomb threats, threats of violence, or reports of violence, against any of schools, students, or the Norco community, will be thoroughly investigated and held accountable for their actions.

Anyone with information regarding this ongoing investigation is encouraged to contact Deputies Jeff Scott or Matt Faucher at (951) 270-5673. 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 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.