Attempted Murder Suspects Captured By Hemet PD
In the early morning hours on January 27, 2013, the Riverside Sheriff’s department responded to the 40000 block of Poppy Dr. for numerous reports of shots fired. On arrival deputies located a 17 year old male that had been shot multiple times. Subsequent to their investigation, information was put out to local law enforcement agencies to stop and detain four suspects wanted for questioning for the crime. Two of the suspects were later contacted and arrested prior to this incident.
On 2-18-13, at about 4:22 PM, a Hemet Police officer observed a vehicle in the 1900 block of east Devonshire Ave. that he believed was occupied by the two wanted suspects in the Poppy shooting. As the officer attempted to stop the vehicle it pulled into a carport area and two suspects ran from the vehicle.
One adult male suspect was taken into custody fairly quickly and without incident. The second suspect led officers on a lengthy foot chase through vehicle traffic, over walls and fences, and through residential neighborhoods, finally ending near apartments on south Yale St., where the suspect fought and resisted officers. This second suspect is a 16 year old male juvenile and he was found to be in possession of two stolen semi-automatic handguns and a stolen cellular telephone. Both of these items were stolen last week in a residential burglary in Hemet. During the fight a veteran Hemet Police officer received an injury to his leg and jaw and was treated and released at a local hospital.
These arrests also led officers to the location of a stolen vehicle that was taken from Tahquitz High School. This vehicle was later located on Merlyn St. in Hemet and recovered.
John H. Barber, 18 years old, was booked at Riverside County Jail for possession of stolen property.
A 16 year old male juvenile was booked at Riverside County Juvenile Hall for resisting officers, possession of stolen property, possession of a loaded firearm, resisting/delaying officers.
The original criminal charges from the Poppy Dr. shooting may be filed later by the Riverside Sheriff’s Dept.