The following information has been provided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department:

On April 21, employees of the Press-Enterprise reported numerous thefts of newspaper stands from the Lake Elsinore and Sun City area. It had been estimated that 10 newspaper stands had been stolen, and that the loss totaled $4,000.00.

Several of the news stands had been found at the lake bottom near Mission Trail and Corydon Street, Lake Elsinore. Surveillance video had captured images of the most recent incident. Although the video did not show the suspect vehicle plate, the vehicle had distinctive wheels and body damage.

An Informational Bulletin was distributed to patrol staff, and on May 4, 2008, officers from the Murrieta Police Department stopped and detained three individuals driving a vehicle matching the one seen on the bulletin.

Lake Elsinore Detectives were called out and interviewed the three suspects who were identified as Christopher Shaddix (20-years), Trent Doherty (18-years) and Richard Burchfield (18-years) from the Wildomar and Menifee area. All three suspects confessed to the multiple thefts of the newspaper stands and gave information as to where additional stands were disposed of.

Through this investigation, Detective Davis identified 10-separate thefts of newspaper stands between the two communities. Each stand is reported to be worth $425.00 to $500.00 each, not including product contained within and currency held. The suspects were arrested and booked into the Southwest Detention Center.