Update: Suspects pictures not available, wrong photo posted originally.

Moreno Valley Gang Unit Closes Carjacking Case 

May 7, 2023 - Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that the Sheriff's Station, Special Enforcement Team (SET), Gang unit closed a carjacking case that started June 29, 2022. In the early morning of that June day, 30-year-old Justin Hernandez, and 32-year-old Matthew Mata, both residents of Moreno Valley, committed a carjacking. Mata and Hernandez assaulted the victim before pistol-whipping him and stealing his car.

The lead investigator, Deputy Joseph Smith, identified both suspects. Hernandez was located and arrested shortly after the incident. Deputy Smith authored an arrest warrant for Mata, who was still outstanding.

On May 4, 2023, the Moreno Valley SET Gang team located and arrested Mata. Based on Mata's probation terms, the SET team members searched Mata's room at an address on Bobolink Lane. During their probation search, deputies found evidence of drug trafficking and weapons violations. A search warrant was authored and granted for the entire residence. The search of the home resulted in the recovery of three unregistered pistols, one stolen rifle, and evidence of a narcotics trafficking operation.

Mata was booked into Robert Presley Detention Center for carjacking, assault, drug trafficking, and numerous weapons charges. In addition, Katrine Dalou, a 35-year-old woman at the Bobolink Lane address, was also arrested and booked into Robert Presley Detention Center for narcotics trafficking and weapons charges.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Joseph Fitzgerald

File # MV221800016

Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office