April 27, 2023 - Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 7:42 a.m. deputies responded to the area of Sanderson Avenue and Esplanade Avenue for a report of a kidnapping-carjacking that just occurred. A resident called 911 to report he and his 7-year-old child had just been kidnapped at gunpoint from a nearby residential neighborhood by a man with a rifle. The caller said the suspect, a black male adult, 18-20 years of age, confronted him and his son in their vehicle and demanded to be taken to a business at Sanderson Avenue and Esplanade Avenue. Deputies and investigators responded immediately to the area where the suspect, later identified as Branden Williamson, a 26-year-old resident of San Jacinto, was captured near the area of Commonwealth Avenue and Lyon Avenue, in the city of Hemet.

Information was learned that the gun used in the commission of the crime was possibly hidden in a field near Sanderson Avenue and Esplanade Avenue. Deputies and investigators conducted an hours-long ground search for the gun utilizing several deputies, the Sheriff’s Posse, and Sheriff Volunteers. The gun was not found. The caller and his child were unharmed during the incident. A search warrant related to this investigation was served in the 1000 Block of Waterleaf Way in San Jacinto. Williamson was later booked at the Smith Correctional Facility for kidnapping, carjacking, committing a felony while out on bail and child endangerment.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Lead Investigator Ruben Martinez at the Hemet Sheriff’s Station by calling (951) 791-3400.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Anthony Pelato

File # I231140009

Source: Riverside County Sheriff's Office