Two men accused of perpetrating three drive-by shootings in Perris that left two people wounded were charged Friday with attempted murder and other offenses.
Alejandro Rivera Jimenez, 22, of Perris, and Andre Lamont Williams, 25, of Las Vegas, were arrested Tuesday following a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department investigation.
Along with the attempted murder count, the defendants were charged with shooting at an inhabited dwelling, firearm assault and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.
They were both being held on $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta and were slated to make a joint initial court appearance Friday afternoon at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
Jimenez’s brother, 25-year-old Jose Jimenez of Perris, was not charged in the same complaint but was arrested in connection with the same offenses. It was unclear whether he would be charged separately. He remains held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Murrieta jail.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Tinker, on March 18, the defendants allegedly targeted individuals residing in the 200 block of Count Turf Street, the 1000 block of Ravenhollow Drive and the 100 block of Superior Court.
Tinker said the defendants were in Williams’ black BMW 5 series sedan when they went to each residence and shot at the occupants.
Two people — identified in court documents only as “F.M.” and “R.I.” — were struck by gunfire at one of the properties that came under attack. However, both victims suffered non-life-threatening wounds and are expected to fully recover, Tinker said.
According to the sergeant, detectives also believe the same vehicle is linked to an attack in Moreno Valley, but the evidence is still pending review.
Tinker said investigators were able to obtain the temporary license plate on the BMW by accessing security surveillance video, and they traced the car to a dealership in Nevada, which confirmed the vehicle was outfitted with a tracking device accessible to law enforcement.
Investigators discovered the car was frequently parked in the 100 block of San Luis Drive — where the Jimenez men apparently reside — and a stakeout was established at the location, according to Tinker.
He said when the car was spotted leaving the residence, deputies conducted a traffic stop and took the defendants into custody without a struggle.
“Evidence of the crimes was located in the vehicle and at the San Luis Drive residence,” the sergeant said.
A possible motive for the alleged attacks was not disclosed.
Neither defendant has documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.