NORCO – An attempted arrest for public intoxication turned into a brawl with a Riverside Sheriff’s Deputy and ultimately an arrest for attempted murder on a peace officer.
On April 29, 2014 at approximately 6:30 p.m., dispatch received a report of a suspicious person in the 800 block of 6th Street in Norco. A deputy assigned to the Norco Office of the Riverside Sheriff’s Department was dispatched. Bystanders in the area directed the deputy to Hillside Avenue, where 30-year-old Ernesto Perez from Corona was causing a scene. After speaking with Perez, the deputy determined that Perez was so intoxicated that he was a danger to himself. At this point, the deputy attempted to arrest him for public intoxication.
Perez, however, took exception to being arrested. While attempting to take Perez into custody, Perez began to fight. As the struggle ensued, Perez was able to yank the baton away from the deputy. He brandished the weapon and threatened to kill the deputy. According to Sergeant Mike Portillo, “The deputy was able to wrestle the baton from Perez’ grasp and it went flying across the ground. Several bystanders came to the deputy’s aid and were able to secure the baton.”
Soon after, assisting deputies arrived at the scene and were able to get Perez under control. Perez was then taken into custody. Both Perez and the deputy suffered minor injuries in the scuffle. They were treated by medical staff and after receiving medical clearance, Perez was booked at Robert Presley Detention Center for attempted murder on a peace officer.
