Press Releases

On Monday, June 15, 2020, about 10:09 p.m., deputies responded to the 31000 block of Riverside Dr., in the city of Lake Elsinore, regarding a stolen vehicle report. Deputies arrived and made contact with the victim, the victim told deputies he was approached by a male subject who pointed a black handgun at him and demanded his vehicle. The victim fled his vehicle and the suspect drove westbound on Riverside Dr. The victim immediately called the police. The vehicle was not located during an initial search of the area.

On June 16, 2020, about 1:09 a.m., a deputy observed the victims vehicle traveling westbound on Riverside Dr. near Lincoln St., additional deputies responded to the location and a felony vehicle stop was conducted. The driver complied and was detained without incident. The firearm used in the carjacking was not recovered.

The suspect, identified as Dominic Melgoza (24) of Oceanside, was arrested and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center for carjacking.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department asks anyone with information pertaining to this investigation to contact Deputy Pohlman at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station by calling (951) 245-3300.

As a reminder, "Community Policing" involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099, or by calling 911 if the matter is an emergency.

Dominic Melgoza