September 29, 2023 - Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 7:41 a.m., deputies from the Hemet Sheriff’s Station recognized a suspect later identified as Alexander Mettey, a 31-year-old transient from the Hemet Area, walking in the 25000 block of Howard Road in Hemet. Alexander was believed to be armed and wanted for a violation of his Post-Release Community Supervision terms. Alexander was seen walking to a residence on Howard Road. Deputies from the Hemet Sheriff’s Station and Sheriff’s Post-Release Accountability and Compliance Team responded and surrounded the residence. Announcements were made to exit the residence, and several persons surrendered to deputies without incident. Occupants of the residence admitted knowing Mettey and confirmed he was inside the residence. When Mettey failed to respond to several orders to exit the residence, members of the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau responded and attempted to negotiate with him.

After hours of negotiation, members of the Special Enforcement Bureau noted the residence appeared to be on fire somewhere inside. Very quickly, the residence became engulfed with flames, and Mettey could be seen breaking windows in an apparent attempt to escape. When it became apparent Mettey would not be able to escape the fire, a contingent of Special Enforcement Team deputies, Soboba Fire Department firefighters, and CalFire firefighters began a rescue attempt that involved breaching windows and walls to enter the residence and retrieve Mattey, who was now unconscious.

Alexander was transported to a nearby hospital for his injuries and he was listed in stable condition. The fire was extinguished by CalFire personnel, and no adjacent residences were damaged. CalFire arson investigators are investigating the fire as arson.

Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call Investigator Raymond Ghiliotty at the Hemet Sheriff’s Station by calling (951) 791–3400.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Matthew Cramer

File # D232710018

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office