Two men, identified as Genaro Rizo Sr., a 50-year-old resident of Yucca Valley, and his son, Genaro Rizo Jr., a 29-year-old resident of Corona, have been arrested in connection with a sex crime investigation in the Morongo Basin, as reported by SBSD Morongo Basin Sheriff's Department. The crime in question involved an incident where a victim was allegedly sexually assaulted in her Landers home on March 2.
The investigation, spearheaded by deputies after the victim's report around 12:30 a.m., revealed that the senior Rizo allegedly entered the victim's locked bedroom while she was asleep and committed oral copulation. Meanwhile, the investigation uncovered that Rizo Jr. is accused of threatening the victim to dissuade her from reporting the incident the authorities did not discover a connection until later in the investigation, as detailed by the SBSD Morongo Basin Sheriff's Department.
Detectives obtained warrants for the arrests of both men as well as search warrants for their residences. The Specialized Enforcement Detail was deployed due to the threat of a firearm in apprehending Rizo Jr., indicating the gravity of the situation and the potential risk to law enforcement officers involved. Following the arrests, both individuals were booked into the Morongo Jail on their respective charges. The investigation further extended to a joint effort with detectives from the Chino Hills Station who searched the younger Rizo's residence in Corona where an AR-style rifle was recovered.
The community has been urged to reach out with information they may offer can call Detective Bengard directly at the Morongo Basin Sheriff's Station at (760) 366-4175 or, for those wishing to remain anonymous, through the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or their website.
