City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARD: ALL
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION RENEWING THE OFFER OF A $10,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE IDENTIFICATION AND APPREHENSION OF PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR MULTIPLE HOME INVASION ROBBERIES ISSUES:
Adopt a resolution to renew the offer of a reward in the amount of $10,000 for information that leads to the identification and apprehension of the persons responsible for multiple home invasion robberies in the City of Riverside, Police Department cases 220012845, 220013319 and 220013480, for a duration of 60 days and authorize an interdepartmental transfer in the same amount as approved by City Council on June 28, 2022.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Adopt a resolution to renew the offer of a reward in the amount of $10,000 for information that leads to the identification and apprehension of the persons responsible for multiple home invasion robberies, Police Department case 220012845, 220013319 and 220013480, for a duration of 60 days.
BACKGROUND:
On May 10, 2022, at approximately 9:40 PM, residents in the 14100 block of Ashton Lane were the victims of a robbery inside their residence. An adult male, his wife, and 11-year-old child were held hostage and robbed by multiple armed suspects.
On May 15, 2022, at approximately 4:40 AM, residents in the 18400 block of Moss Road were the victims of a robbery inside their residence. An adult female victim was awakened in her bed by a male suspect pointing a gun at her. An adult male victim confronted the suspects and was shot multiple times. He underwent life-saving surgery and survived.
On May 17, 2022, at approximately 6:30 AM, an adult female was the victim of a robbery inside her residence in the 1500 block of Kyle Court. She was confronted by armed suspects inside her residence, who held her hostage and robbed her.
Due to the current lack of information to identify the suspects, the frequency of the crimes, and the violence observed, it is important to seek the public’s help with a reward. Therefore, on June 28, 2022, City Council adopted a resolution offering $10,000 or information that leads to the identification and apprehension of the persons responsible for multiple home invasion robberies and authorized an interdepartmental transfer of $10,000. However, no further leads were developed.
DISCUSSION:
In May of 2001, the “Riverside Reward Program,” was approved by the City Council. Guidelines for offering rewards are listed in section 364 of the Riverside Police Department Policy Manual.
Detectives believe that offering a reward in the amount of $10,000 may entice one or more witnesses to come forward with information that would help detectives in the identification and apprehension of the persons involved in the multiple home invasion robberies.
The original resolution, approved on June 28, 2022, provided the reward would expire 60 days after the date of City Council’s approval.
The attached resolution has been prepared to renew the reward period for an additional 60 days from the date of City Council approval. The amount of the reward would remain at $10,000. ASK \* MERGEFORMAT STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal number No. 2.4 -Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Riverside Police Department provides public safety services to the community. Issuing a reward that could positively stimulate the investigation and yield useful information that could possibly lead to the identification and ultimately the apprehension of person or persons responsible for multiple home invasion robberies supports this goal.
Equity – The Department provides public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. Issuing a reward in an effort to apprehend a person or persons responsible for multiple home invasion robberies helps in the achievement of this goal by ensuring that RPD employees can enhance community safety.
Fiscal Responsibility – The Police Department has determined that the benefits of offering a reward in an effort to apprehend a person or persons responsible for multiple home invasion robberies outweighs the cost of the reward. Additionally, the reward is only paid in the event of an apprehension.
Innovation – In order to meet the community’s changing needs, the Police Department regularly assesses the various tools and programs at their disposal to help them provide public safety services to the community. The rewards program provides the Department with an additional tool to help keep the community safe.
Sustainability & Resiliency – Regularly assessing the Police Departments programs, making changes as needed and utilizing the programs as appropriate allows the Department to adapt and grow as the needs of the community change. The rewards program is a valuable tool that will help the Department provide public safety services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of this action is $10,000. The funds, in the amount of $10,000, were transferred from the General Fund, Non-Departmental/City Manager’s Fiscal Management Account No. 7211200-450247 to the General Fund, Office of the Police Chief, Riverside Reward Program Account No. 3100000-459026 after City Council approval on June 28, 2022.
Upon approval, the funds in the amount of $10,000 will remain in the General Fund, Office of the Police Chief, Riverside Reward Program for an additional 60 days from the date of City Council approval.
If no reward is offered within 60 days, funds will be returned to the Non-Departmental/City Manager’s Fiscal Management Account unless renewed or extended.
Prepared by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
Availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Resolution
Home Invasion Robberies Reward RenewalηPage 3