Homicide Suspect Sought By Riverside County Sheriff's Department

Temecula CA

12 October, 2021

7:28 PM

Description

ANZA, CA — The Riverside County Sheriff's Department issued a wanted poster Tuesday of a man suspected in an Anza killing last week, with the hope that the public can help track him down. Benjamin Winkle, 36, has been identified as the suspect in the slaying that was discovered around 4:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at a residence in the 61200 block of Indian Paint Brush Road in Anza. Michael Mendoza, 37, was found dead at the home by deputies, a victim of an assault with a deadly weapon, the sheriff's department said. The type of weapon used was not disclosed. "Winkle fled the location before the arrival of deputies and is being sought for his involvement in the incident," the department said Tuesday. "Investigators are following up on active leads regarding Winkle's whereabouts." It's not clear how or why investigators identified Winkle as a suspect in the killing, and no possible motive was provided. Anyone who sees Winkle is asked to call 911. "Do not attempt to make contact," the sheriff's department said. Anyone with tips about the killing is asked to call Central Homicide Investigator Juarez at 951-955-2777.