UPDATE: Menifee men charged in murder of Romoland man

August 21, 2020 Trevor Montgomery

UPDATED: Friday, Aug. 21, 12:30 p.m.

See Original Story and Photos below.

MENIFEE, Calif. — Authorities have announced the arrest this week of two Menifee men, who now stand charged in a February incident that left one man dead and another hospitalized with traumatic injuries.

The fatal incident happened at Menifee’s Eller Park and the victims were found about a mile and a half away, on the 28000 block of Sparacio Rd., northeast of Mapes and Antelope roads, in the unincorporated community of Romoland.

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Deputies and investigators from the Perris Sheriff’s Station, along with Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit investigators, began investigating the deadly incident Sunday, Feb. 9, after receiving reports of an “assault with great bodily injury,” Central Homicide Unit Sgt. Rick Espinoza reported as the murder investigation was getting underway.

Although the two victims were taken to an area hospital for treatment, one of the two men, since identified as Jaime Reyes, 23, of Romoland, passed away as a result of his injuries.

As their months-long investigation continued, sheriff’s officials say they identified two men as suspects in Reyes’ death.

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, officials arrested Isaac Manuel Delarosa, 18, of Menifee, for his involvement in Reyes’ murder.

On Wednesday, Aug. 19, Kenneth Alan Harmon, 22, of Menifee was also arrested for his participation in the deadly assault.

Both men have been booked into Larry D. Smith Correction Facility in Banning and remain in custody without bail.

Online jail records indicate Harmon was booked on suspicion of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Jail records also show Delarosa was booked on suspicion of a sole count of murder.

The sheriff’s investigation is continuing and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages anyone with information regarding their ongoing investigation to contact Central Homicide Investigator Barajas at (760) 393-3522 or (951) 955-2777.

Original Story: One dead after violent incident at Menifee park

Originally published Feb. 10, 2020

MENIFEE, Calif. — Although few details have been released, authorities have confirmed they are investigating an assault at a Menifee park that left one of two men dead Sunday, Feb. 9.

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Deputies from the Perris Sheriff’s Station along with other emergency personnel were dispatched to the rural residential neighborhood at 5:12 p.m., after receiving reports of an “assault with great bodily injury,” Central Homicide Unit Sgt. Rick Espinoza said after the murder investigation was underway.

When officials arrived, they found two men inside a vehicle suffering from traumatic injuries, Espinoza explained.

Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit investigators and forensic technicians worked overnight processing separate crime scenes in Menifee and nearby Romoland after two men were attacked at Menifee’s Eller Park last night. RVC News photo

Medical personnel transported both men to a local hospital, where one of the two victims died as a result of his injuries.

The other victim received treatment for his injuries, according to Espinoza; who did not specify the full nature or extent of the victims’ injuries or what may have led to the deadly incident.

As their investigation was getting underway, deputies learned the victims drove about a mile and a half to Sporacio Rd. after the unspecified incident at Eller Park, forcing officials to cordon off crimes scenes at the separate locations.

Based on the circumstances, Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit investigators responded to the scene and assumed the investigation, which is active and ongoing, according to Espinoza; who said no additional information or details are currently available.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Central Homicide Investigator Barajas at (760) 393-3522 or (951) 955-2777. Callers can refer to incident file number PC200400048 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit an anonymous tip using the Sheriff’s Homicide Tipline online form.

This is a developing story that will be updated as new information becomes available.

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RVC News photos

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 48, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; 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 29 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 16 grandchildren.