Public Safety
Brothers Accused of Shooting at Corona Man During Car Parts Theft
RIVERSIDE (CNS) – Two brothers accused of confronting a Corona homeowner with a gun while trying to stealing parts from his car, at one point firing a random shot to intimidate him, were charged Thursday with armed robbery and other offenses.
Jacobo Eliseo Lopez, 21, and Ricky Anthony Lopez, 19, both of Yucaipa, were arrested Tuesday following a Corona Police Department investigation.
Ricky Lopez was charged only with robbery. However, his older sibling was additionally charged with gun assault and reckless discharge of a firearm.
The brothers are each being held in lieu of $500,000 bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning and were slated to make a joint initial court appearance Thursday afternoon at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
According to Corona police Sgt. Jason Waldon, in the predawn hours of last Nov. 14, a 58-year-old man residing in the 1000 block of East Francis Street was alerted to activity around his vehicle and went outside to check on it.
Waldon said the victim encountered the brothers and another man, 18- year-old Christian Rios of Yucaipa, attempting to dislodge the catalytic converter from underneath his car.
“During the contact, one suspect swung a Sawzall-type tool at the victim,” the sergeant said. “The other suspect approached the victim, pointed a handgun at him and fired a round before fleeing from the location in a gray 2007 Ford Mustang. The victim was uninjured during the incident.”
In the ensuing two months, detectives were able to gather sufficient evidence to obtain search warrants, which were served at the defendants’ and Rios’ residences, as well as other properties in Fontana and Riverside.
“Detectives recovered matching clothing worn by the suspects, burglary tools commonly used to cut catalytic converters, two catalytic converters and an unregistered firearm,” Waldon said.
The men were taken into custody without incident.
Prosecutors have yet to file charges against Rios, who is no longer in custody.
The Lopez brothers have no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.
The Inland Empire and other regions statewide have been plagued by catalytic converter thefts. Converters are used to filter engine emissions to cut down on the amount of pollutants discharged by cars and trucks. The devices, located on the underside of vehicles, average about $1,000 apiece.
Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.
By: Pristine Villarreal
February 16, 2023
Latest Instagram Posts
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Sterling Conley with the rushing TD, 2) Marcus Kennedy with the touchdown catch, 3) Cade Pinon with the big time sack, 4) Kingston Pellum with the pick-6, or 5) Caleb Hartwell with the saving throw #fypage #fridaynightlights #football #hondaofthedesert #highschoolfootball
James Nellis from @dsrt_club_lq and @rd_rnnr_lq makes us one of his signature dishes, his Maine scallops with hibiscus puree. His creativity and skill lead to unique bold flavors and scrumptious dishes. We chat about his love of trying new things in the kitchen, what being a chef means to him, and how food can different, flavorful, and fun. This is James Nellis on a plate. See it now on nbcpalmsprings.com
At the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, first responders, families and community members came together to honor the lives lost—and the heroes who answered the call 25 years ago on September 11, 2001. Two first responders who responded to opposite sides of the World Trade Center met for the first time at the event, sharing a powerful moment of remembrance and connection. 26 flights. Three times. One enduring message: Never Forget. #NeverForget #September11 #911Memorial #MemorialStairClimb #FirstResponders HonorAndRemember 911
Palm Desert’s future takes center stage next week. The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 2026 State of the City Address & Luncheon on Friday, September 18, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort. The event brings together local business leaders, community members and city stakeholders for an inside look at the priorities, opportunities and future of Palm Desert. Friday, September 18 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort Palm Desert Individual tickets are $85 for Chamber members and $95 for non-members. Get the details and registration information from the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce. #PalmDesert #StateOfTheCity #CoachellaValley #PalmDesertBusiness #GreaterPalmSprings #PalmDesertChamber
25 years later, the memories of 9/11 remain vivid for the firefighters who witnessed the tragedy firsthand. A longtime FDNY firefighter reflects on the trauma, loss and moments that have stayed with him a quarter-century after the attacks. #911 #September11 #NeverForget #FDNY #Firefighter #911Anniversary #25YearsLater #NewYorkCity #Remembering911 #NBCTPalmSprings
A troubling history is coming to light in a Palm Desert husband’s death. 65-year old Vicky Kim is accused in the death of her husband — but prosecutors say she had previously faced several domestic violence cases involving him. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office says it had secured protective orders against Kim before a judge later resolved her cases as misdemeanors, released her from custody and terminated those orders. Now, Kim is expected to be arraigned in connection with her husband’s death. Court records allege the weapon used was a flagpole.
☕️🔥 How hot is TOO hot? A new study finds that drinking scalding-hot beverages may be linked to nearly 3 times the risk of esophageal cancer—the most common type of cancer affecting the esophagus. The takeaway? Let that coffee, tea or other hot drink cool down before taking a sip. ❤️ #HealthNews #EsophagealCancer #CancerRisk #HotBeverages #Coffee #Tea #CancerAwareness #HealthyHabits #HealthTips
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. The squishy craze!
Coachella city council unanimously approved an anti-nepotism rule that ban an any Councilmember from appointing a family member or household member to the city’s commissions and committees. Tune in to our 11 p.m newscast as our @newsbyalondra breaks down the policy.
An anti-nepotism rule will be discussed and voted on at tonight’s Coachella City Council meeting - that would ban city council members from appointing their own family members or household members to commissions and committees. Tune in to our 8:30 p.m newscast and our socials and website as our @newsbyalondra brings us the latest details on that final vote.