http://www.ci.riverside.ca.us/rpd/press/jun20a02.htm

For Immediate Release

Date; June 20, 2002

Contact: Lieutenant John Wallace 

Phone: (909) 826-5836

• 11:53 PM officers respond to the Menagerie on a call of a fight with 6 Hispanic male adults listed as suspects. The caller reports that a derogatory gay term is yelled out.

• Officers arrive at 11:56 PM and report all suspects and victims are gone from the location.

• 1:13 AM (June 6, 2002) Officers respond to Riverside County Regional Medical Center on a report of a stabbing victim from the Menagerie.

• 09:56 AM (June 6, 2002) Riverside Police Department is notified that Mr. Jeffery Owens has died as a result of his injuries.

• The victim, Mr. Owens, and three friends were standing by one of their cars that were parked to the rear of the Menagerie. The four friends were looking at photographs.

• At least two of a group of four Hispanic male adults approached the group. One of the suspects struck the first victim in his face.

• As that victim was scrambling to get inside the vehicle he received another blow, which was later discovered to be a stab wound.

• Three of the friends got into the vehicle. Mr. Owens ran to the back patio of the Menagerie to call for help. This prompted the call to dispatch at 11:53 PM.

• Mr. Owens confronts the suspects. One suspect is heard making a derogatory remark about Mr. Owens’s sexual orientation. The suspect states, "We will give you a fight".

• The suspects attack the victim and flee the area.

• The two men who had received the stab wounds are unaware of their injuries. Two of the men are dropped at their vehicle and the other two begin to drive home.

• Mr. Owens realized he was seriously injured and his companion drives him to the hospital where they discover he has been stabbed.

• The two friends arrived at the hospital where the second victim learns he has been stabbed.

THE INVESTIGATION:

• Detective Rita Cobb (909-320-8027) is the lead investigator on the case. Detectives Fred Kelvington (909-320-8062), Greg Rowe (909-320-8024), and Steve Shumway (909-320-8011) are assisting in the investigation.

• Detectives combed the downtown business and bar area in efforts to track the suspect’s actions prior to the assault.

• Business and bar patrons in the area were willing to speak with the detectives and they provided numerous leads. All of these leads are being followed up and several appear point in the same direction.

• The detectives have received numerous calls from citizens with further leads, all requiring follow-up. The number of calls from the public on this case has been particularly high.

• Two composite drawings of one of the suspects were made into a police bulletin. Detectives at the memorial vigil distributed over three hundred copies on June 9, 2002.

• Countless interviews with persons with pertinent information and continued contact with the Riverside County District Attorneys office, lead detectives to be able to secure 5 search warrants related to this homicide.

• These search warrants were executed simultaneously on Thursday, June 19, 2002 @ 0700 hours. Three of the search warrants were served in the City of Riverside and 2 others were in the Riverside County area of Highgrove.

• Four persons have been arrested in connection to this homicide and assault.

Viviano Cruz Marin 25 years Male Hispanic, Riverside PC§ 187. Murder PC§ 186.22. Participation in Criminal Street Gang PC§ 422.75(c) Hate Crime Enhancement	Miguel Angel Ramos 28 years Male Hispanic, Riverside PC§ 187. Murder PC§ 186.22. Participation in Criminal Street Gang PC§ 422.75(c) Hate Crime Enhancement
Ramin Meza Rabago 18 years Male Hispanic, Riverside PC§ 187. Murder PC§ 186.22. Participation in Criminal Street Gang PC§ 422.75(c) Hate Crime Enhancement	Dorian Lee Gutierrez 18 years Male Hispanic, Riverside PC§ 187. Murder PC§ 664/187. Attempted Murder PC§ 186.22. Participation in Criminal Street Gang PC§ 422.75(c) Hate Crime Enhancement

• Assistant Chief Mike Smith, Lt. Mark Boyer, Lt. John Wallace, and Lt. Meredyth Meredith met with the Western Inland Empire Coalition Against Hate on June 7, 2002, to relay the Department’s concern over this crime.

• Chief Russ Leach and Lt. John Wallace gave presentations on hate crimes at the Human Relations Commission special meeting on June 13, 2002.