On Saturday, February 16, 2019, about 6:33 p.m., officers from the Moreno Valley Police Department responded to a hit and run traffic collision at the 22600 block of Cottonwood Avenue, in the city of Moreno Valley. The collision involved a vehicle striking a juvenile pedestrian.
Officers from the Moreno Valley Traffic Reconstruction Team continued the investigation and located evidence which led them to the 13400 block of Moreno Way in Moreno Valley. Members of the Traffic Reconstruction Team and the Special Enforcement Team set up surveillance and ultimately detained Arevalo Garcia Eleazar, age 33, leaving his residence.
Minutes after Eleazar was detained, a search warrant was served at a residence in the 13400 block of Moreno Way. Officers located evidence consistent with the crime, including a 2000 Cadillac Escalade containing collision damage. The vehicle was seized, a second search warrant was served on the vehicle, and the vehicle was processed for evidence.
Eleazar was interviewed at the Moreno Valley Police Department. At the conclusion of his interview, he was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for felony hit and run causing serious injuries.
The fourteen-year-old victim remains in extremely critical condition.
Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact the Moreno Valley Traffic Division at 951-486-6700.
Persons who wish to report criminal activity and wish to remain anonymous can call crime stoppers at 800-78-CRIME (800-782-7463) or 800-47-DRUGS (800-473-7847). You can also leave anonymous information at www.riversidesheriff.org/tipline or www.wetip.com.
Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff's CrimeTips online form.