Homeowner wants Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputies to cite illegal dumpers caught on camera

In the distance between an SUV and a tree, the video shows a large white trailer, tilted up and dumping trash on property owned by the family of Thousand Palms resident Joel Aponte.

After dumping the load, the pickup pulls away.

The whole incident a week and a half ago was recorded on Aponte's doorbell camera at his home across the street.

The debris is still sitting on the open lot on Calle Helene.

"What am I supposed to do? Police are not doing anything and code enforcement is not doing anything. Everybody is sitting on their hands.

How am I supposed to take care of this problem that I have?" asked Aponte.

Immediately following the dump, Aponte, who is a News Channel 3 employee, says he called Sheriff's deputies who came to the site 90 minutes later.

He provided a photo of the suspect's pick up truck, including the license plate and directed deputies up the street, where Aponte says the suspects were drinking.

Aponte says deputies spoke with the suspects but did not issue a citation.

To make matters worse. Aponte says code enforcement is now telling him it's his responsibility to clean up the mess.

"Why am I being cited for something I didn't do? I'm telling you who did it. I have it on video who did it. I have the information on the vehicle. Why don't you find the people who did it and cite them?" asked Aponte.

The debris left behind includes dirt, tree branches, stone blocks, plastic tiles and other trash.

Monday, we spoke with Riverside County Sheriff's Sergeant Albert Martinez who tells us the deputies who responded to the call handled the case properly.

Martinez says in order for deputies to have issued a citation, they would have had to witness the dumping, or could have issued a citation had Aponte "performed a citizen's arrest" prior to deputies arriving.

Martinez says performing a citizen's arrest is an option for anyone who witnesses illegal dumping and wants offenders held accountable.

"So we have been there and we tried to help out this person to the extent as far as we could," said Martinez.

County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez tells us deputies "should have cited" the illegal dumpers.

For years, dumpers have been leaving trash and unwanted items at sites all around the valley.

Sergeant Martinez says if Aponte wants further action in the case, he can contact the Sheriff's Department.

Martinez recommends the following actions for property owners to take to deter illegal dumping:

Call the Sheriff's Department if you witness illegal dumping or suspicious activity.

Provide the license plate number and make and model of the car or vehicle involved.

Provide a physical description of the people involved.

Put a fence around your property.

Install lights at the property.