An inmate escape attempt unfolded in Moreno Valley this past Monday when Kimberly Gallegos, a 25-year-old female inmate from Jurupa Valley, decided to make a break for it. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department relayed that a correctional deputy had brought Gallegos to the 26000 block of Cactus Avenue at about 10:15 a.m. for reasons not disclosed in their report. According to the official statement, the deputy, in the process of escorting her from the vehicle, found himself in a chase through the parking lot as Gallegos attempted to flee.
Drawing his weapon, the deputy discharged a round into the ground amidst the pursuit. Thankfully, no injuries were reported as a result of the gunfire. Additional deputies, responding with alacrity, arrived shortly to assist and successfully apprehended Gallegos, who once again fell back into custody.
The aftermath of this incident has triggered two separate lines of inquiry. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Corrections Central Investigations Unit has taken charge of delving into the escape, intending to file additional charges against Gallegos through the District Attorney’s Office. Concurrently, the Sheriff’s Office Force Investigations Detail has begun investigating the discharge of the deputy's firearm. Following protocol, the unnamed deputy at the heart of this high-stakes chase has been placed on paid administrative leave.
With the case still developing, further details have been scarce. Officials encourage anyone possessing relevant information to come forward and have provided contact numbers for California Highway Patrol Investigator Steve Cuevas and Riverside County Sheriff’s Investigator Jason Letterly, being 951–955–2777. This active and ongoing investigation, they assure, is committed to transparency and accountability, a pledge issued by the Media Information Bureau in the heat of public concern.
