Reward Possible In Gang Task Force Booby-Trap Case
By News Channel 3newsline3@kesq.com
RIVERSIDE -The Riverside County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information about booby-traps that were set twice since December at the offices of the San Jacinto Gang Task Force.
“Police officers put their lives on the line every day for residents of our county,” Supervisor Jeff Stone said. “We will exact the highest punishment allowed against anyone who plots to harm or kill the officers who work so hard to protect our community. It will not be tolerated.”
Stone proposed the reward for anyone who provides investigators with new information that leads directly to the arrest and conviction in a California court of those involved in the two incidents. The reward of up to $100,000 could be split if new information from more than one person leads to arrest and conviction.
On Tuesday, a rolling gate at the gang task force offices in Hemet was rigged to fire a gunshot when it was opened. According to police, the shot fired from the booby trap missed an officer when he arrived for work and opened the gate.
On Dec. 31, someone rerouted a natural gas line at the task-force headquarters to fill the offices with gas, potentially causing an explosion.
The gang task force includes members of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney’s Office and Probation Department; the Hemet Police Department; and other agencies. Anyone with more information is asked to call Hemet Police Lieutenant Duane Wisehart at (951) 765-2400.
