Two Menifee men face robbery, murder charges

Two Menifee men and a Hemet man have been arrested and a fourth suspect remains at large in connection with the murder of a Winchester man in March, authorities said.

Sheriff’s deputies responded on March 6 to the 28000 block of Whitaker Lane in Winchester to check on the welfare of a male subject, according to a Sheriff’s Department news release. They found signs of forced entry and inside was the deceased body of Robert Bettencourt, 78, with signs of trauma.

No other persons were located at the property and an investigation was begun. This week, investigators identified three suspects as Kevin Hirsch, 46, of Menifee; Clifford Franken, 54, of Hemet; and Matthew Fromer, 50, of Menifee. The fourth suspect still at large has been identified as Michael Salvati, 34, of Moreno Valley.

Salvati has an arrest warrant and is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who encounters him should not approach but should call 911.

Hirsch faces several felony counts, including murder and robbery, and several misdemeanor counts, including drug possession, according to jail records. He is being held without bail in the Robert Presley Detention Center. Franken faces three felony counts for robbery and murder and is being held without bail at the Southwest Detention Center.

Fromer also faces three felony counts for robbery and murder and is being held without bail at the Southwest Detention Center.

If anyone has information regarding this investigation, they are encouraged to call Investigator B. Cline of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator C. Angelo of the Riverside Sheriff’s Department at 310-595-5265.