The Menifee Police Department today announced the arrest of nine juveniles on felony charges in connection with a series of juvenile fights and other incidents at various locations in Menifee.
In addition, a case involving five juveniles has been submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office “for review of misdemeanor and potential felony charges,” according to a post on the Menifee PD Facebook page. Police spokesperson Chase Coburn told Menifee 24/7 that because the suspects are juveniles, no other details about the incidents will be released at this time.
The arrests followed a month of complaints and videos posted on social media by residents regarding fights, underage drinking, reckless driving, and other “disruptive or unlawful behavior,” the PD statement read. Many of the reported incidents have taken place at Lago Vista Sports Park on Holland Road, where graffiti has appeared on the main sign and reports of loud disturbances have been frequent.
The arrests by the Menifee Police Department’s School Resource Officer Team and Problem-Oriented Police Team followed a weeks-long investigation. In a previous Facebook post, Menifee PD referred to fights among juveniles at In-n-Out and Lago Vista Sports Park.
“Our investigators are actively working with local school officials and our allied agencies to identify those involved and ensure appropriate prosecution,” the previous post read.
Today’s post included a statement that read, “We encourage parents and guardians to take time to speak with their children about the consequences of their actions and the importance of making responsible decisions … Working together as a community can help prevent future incidents and promote a safer environment for everyone.”
