Murrieta Police arrested 23-year-old Reece Thomas Kennedy on six charges, including forcible rape, after detectives found a second juvenile victim in his vehicle during the arrest. Kennedy is held on $1 million bail.
Public Safety
Latest reporting from the Public Safety desk.
Public Safety
Sheriff's office urges Murrieta parents on teen driving safety
The Riverside County Sheriff's Office is urging parents to talk with teen drivers about speeding, distracted driving and impairment ahead of National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 18-24, citing 2024 federal data showing 496 people killed in California crashes involving drivers 20 or younger.
Public Safety
West Nile virus detected near Murrieta in record California year
Riverside County has recorded three human West Nile virus infections, 71 positive mosquito samples and a virus-positive dead bird near Murrieta's Spencer's Park during California's deadliest West Nile year in two decades. Residents can report mosquito problems to Riverside County Vector Control at 951-766-9454.
Public Safety
Murrieta faces high wind warning as fire crews stage across region
The National Weather Service upgraded its high wind watch to a warning for Riverside County valleys through Saturday, Oct. 17, with gusts up to 65 mph forecast, as state fire agencies preposition equipment and Southern California Edison warns nearly 260,000 customers of possible power shutoffs.
Public Safety
NWS issues high wind watch for Murrieta Thursday and Friday
The National Weather Service issued a high wind watch for the Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills, including the Murrieta area, from Thursday morning through Friday evening, with gusts up to 60 mph and elevated fire weather conditions.
Public Safety
Tropical Storm Rachel brings flood advisory, rain to Murrieta
Tropical Storm Rachel moved into Southern California early Sunday, Oct. 11, prompting a flood advisory for Riverside County and bringing heavy rain and gusty winds to the Murrieta area.
Public Safety
Flood watch covers Riverside County as Tropical Storm Rachel nears
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the Inland Empire on Friday, Oct. 9, ahead of Tropical Storm Rachel, which is expected to bring rainfall and strong wind gusts to Riverside County beginning Sunday.
Public Safety
Loma Linda plans 24/7 urgent care on Makena Ave. in Murrieta
Loma Linda University Medical Center will open a round-the-clock advanced urgent care facility at 35100 Makena Ave. in Murrieta by spring 2027, staffed by emergency-trained physicians to handle walk-in injuries and illnesses that don't require an ER visit.
Public Safety
Corancho Fire near Murrieta reaches 95% containment
The Corancho Fire near Murrieta reached 95% containment early Thursday, Oct. 8, with crews moving to patrol status after holding the 35-acre blaze that destroyed one structure in the Temecula-De Luz area.
Public Safety
Sheriff books parolee in Murrieta for Temecula killing
A 28-year-old Los Angeles man released on parole 11 days earlier was arrested for the fatal shooting of a Temecula woman and booked at Murrieta's Cois M. Byrd Detention Center on charges of murder and parole violation.
Public Safety
Carancho Fire burns 35 acres near Murrieta, destroys structure
A 35-acre vegetation fire near the Murrieta area destroyed one structure Tuesday evening before firefighters stopped its forward spread and reached 10% containment by 9:50 p.m., with crews working overnight to strengthen containment lines.
Public Safety
Ex-custodian gets 30 years to life for molesting Lake Elsinore girls
David Robledo Jr., 38, a former Lake Elsinore Unified School District custodian, was sentenced at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta to 30 years to life in state prison after pleading guilty to molesting two girls and possessing child pornography.
Public Safety
Wind advisory adds wildfire risk to Murrieta's heat wave weekend
A Saturday wind advisory for Riverside County mountains brings gusts up to 50 mph on top of an extreme heat warning that runs through Oct. 8, raising wildfire danger and prompting Southern California Edison to consider preventive power shutoffs for nearly 10,000 county customers.
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