A 37-year-old transient was being held Thursdayy in lieu of $50,000 bail after being identified by Irvine Police as the suspect in a fatal stabbing on a bicycle path.
Detectives identified Dennis Thomas Monson Jr., a warehouse worker, as a suspect in the Jan. 19 killing of 51-year-old Sidney Siemensma and took him into custody the night of the killing after child pornography was discovered on his cellphone, according to Tim Knight of the Irvine Police Department.
While Monson remained in custody, Irvine police continued investigating the homicide, including submitting evidence for forensic testing, Knight said. Based on evidence, Irvine Police identified Monson as the suspect and the case has been submitted to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for criminal charges, he said.
Monson was with Siemensma, with whom he was acquainted, early on Jan. 19 on a bicycle path adjacent to the San Diego (405) Freeway near Irvine Center Drive behind the Los Olivos residential community, Knight said.
An altercation occurred and Monson repeatedly stabbed Siemensma, then fled the scene, Knight said.
Irvine Police received a report of a bleeding man from a jogger, followed by similar reports from passing motorists. Officers responded and found Siemensma’s body, Knight said.
An Irvine Police officer patrolling the area around 7:20 p.m. found Monson on the bicycle path where the stabbing had occurred, Knight said. Monson is scheduled to head to Central Superior Court on March 7, according to Orange County jail records.
—City News Service