Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Authorities ID Man Kidnapped, Found Deceased in Homeland, Suspect at Large

A man who was kidnapped and found deceased Friday Nov. 8 in a field in the Homeland area west of Hemet has been identified as Martin Equihua, 26, of Mead Valley, a homicide detective said Thursday.

Whoever killed Equihua remained at large, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Investigators determined several armed men entered a residence in the 20800 block of Orange Avenue in Mead Valley about 2 a.m. Nov. 7, Sgt. Jeff Buompensiero of the sheriff's Central Homicide Unit said in a statement.

The suspects tied up the homeowners and kidnapped Equihua, Buompensiero said.

"The armed men took Equihua and his vehicle, a 2007 Chevy truck," Buompensiero said. "The truck was later located near the intersection of 3rd Street and Monroe, in Romoland."

About 5:20 p.m. Nov. 8, Equihua's body was found in the area of Juniper Flats Road and Falcon View, Buompensiero said. Equihua sustained several gunshot injuries that caused his death.

"The investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made," Buompensiero said.

Anyone with more info was urged to call Detective Dusek with the Central Homicide Unit at (760) 393-3500.


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