Homicide
May 13, 2023 - Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that Investigators have identified and arrested three suspects in connection with the homicide investigation of Robert Bettencourt, that occurred on March 6, 2023, in Winchester. Three suspects were taken into custody without incident at or near their residences and are identified as Kevin R. Hirsch, 46-year-old, resident of Menifee, Clifford Franken, 54-year-old resident of Hemet, and Matthew Fromer, 50-year-old resident of Menifee. A fourth suspect was identified as Joseph Michael Salvati, 34-year-old resident of Moreno Valley, remains at large. Salvati has an arrest warrant and is considered “armed and dangerous”. If anyone encounters Salvati, do not approach and call 9-1-1 for assistance.
Update: Investigators located and arrested Joseph Michael Salvati (not pictured), 34-year-old resident of Moreno Valley, in the city of Oceana, in northern California without incident. Salvati was subsequently booked into the local jail of San Luis Obispo. There are no outstanding suspects.
If anyone has information regarding this investigation, they are encouraged to call Investigator B. Cline of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator R. Barbie of the Riverside
Sheriff’s Perris Station at 951-210-1000.
Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff's Homicide Tipline online form.
Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Ed Baeza
File # PC230650067
If anyone has information regarding this investigation, they are encouraged to call Investigator B. Cline of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator C. Angelo at of the Riverside Sheriff’s Department at 310-595-5265.
Source & photos: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office
Related: Riverside County Deputies Identify 78-Year-Old Winchester Man in Recent Murder
