Teen, Adult Arrested For Attack Caught On Video At Moreno Valley Skate Park

Sheriff's deputies Tuesday announced the arrests of a teenager and a 35-year-old man in connection with an assault on three boys at the Moreno Valley Skate Park that investigators said was unprovoked and premeditated.

Video footage of the assault, which "clearly depicts three male juveniles being attacked without provocation, while many onlookers stood by," became known to deputies Sunday evening, Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Jeremy Harding said.

Investigators undertook an "exhaustive review" of Moreno Valley's city-wide camera system and were able to determine the attack took place at 8:15 p.m. Saturday, according to Harding.

The attack was recorded in its entirety on the camera system, and deputies subsequently identified two 17-year-old suspects, whose names were being withheld because they are juveniles, along with the adult suspect -- Robert Lee Aaron of Moreno Valley, the sergeant said.

The three victims of the attack were all between the ages of 14 and 15, Harding said.

"Surveillance footage reviewed capturing activity at the park in the hours leading up to this incident makes clear this was a premeditated attack, without justification or provocation," Harding said.

Deputies served search warrants late Monday night and early Tuesday morning at homes in the 23800 block of Elyce Court and the 23000 block of Bay Avenue in Moreno Valley and took Aaron and one of the 17-year-old suspects into custody, Harding said.

Multiple pieces of evidence related to the attack, including a firearm, were seized by deputies, he said. Aaron was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy, willful child endangerment and contributing to the delinquency of minors, Harding said.

The 17-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of felony assault and conspiracy and taken to Riverside County Juvenile Hall. Deputies were continuing to search for the third suspect.

"The city of Moreno Valley and the sheriff's department will not tolerate violence of any kind in our parks and our community," Harding said. "This incident will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, to include anyone found complicit in this attack at a later date and time."

Sheriff's deputies asked anyone with information on the assault to call them at 951-486-6700.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
Contact Us