Riverside Transient Arrested for September 2018 Sexual Assault

Staff Writer

Saturday, February 9th, 2019

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RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A Riverside area transient was arrested this week for a sexual assault that occurred in September 2018. The sexual assault occurred in the La Sierra neighborhood of Riverside. Detectives followed leads and collected evidence leading to the identification of the suspect. An arrest warrant for the alleged rape, kidnapping, and assault was obtained. It was also learned that the suspect had an outstandins arrest warrant for violation of Post-Release Community Supervision (PRCS).

Detectives searched for the suspect, who they eventually located in the City of Yucaipa. On Friday, February 8, 2019, authorities made entry into a home where the suspect was hiding and took him into custody. Carlos Romero, 31, was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for the outstanding arrest warrants. Detectives believe that the suspect may have been involved in other crimes in the general area including a January 31, 2019, carjacking in the La Sierra neighborhood.

This investigation is still ongoing and there are no other details available at this time. Anyone with information is asked to contact Robbery – Homicide Detective Karla Beler at (951) 353-7138 or kbeler@riversideca.gov, SACA Detective Stacie Ontko at (951) 353-7121 or sontko@riversideca.gov, or SACA Detective Brandi Merrill at (951) 353-7120 or bmerrill@riversideca.gov. Those wishing to remain anonymous can email rpdtips@riversideca.gov or utilize the Riverside Police Department’s mobile app “Submit a Tip” feature while referencing incident number P18165314.