Homicide Investigation (Update) 

February 21, 2026 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that following the arrest of Alberto Tomas Padron on February 12, 2026, investigators with the Riverside Sheriff’s Central Homicide Unit continued their investigation. With assistance from the community, investigators received new leads and evidence in this case. Once investigators corroborated the information, they determined Padron was not the suspect of the murders. On February 17, 2026, Alberto Tomas Padron was exonerated of the charges and released from custody.

Investigators continue to follow all leads in an attempt to identify the suspect(s) of this investigation. This case is an ongoing investigation, and no further information will be released at this time.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Master Investigator Joshua Manjarrez at (760) 393-3530 or Thermal Station Lead Investigator Burgie at (951) 863-8990.

Related: Riverside County Deputies Arrest Mecca Suspect for Double Homicide in Thermal Shooting

Update: On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 11:23 p.m., deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to a residence in the 67000 block of Polk Street, in Thermal, regarding two possible dead bodies. Upon arrival, responding deputies located 50-year-old, Oscar Romero Castro, and a 47-year-old Hispanic male adult, whose identity is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.  Both subjects had sustained apparent gunshot wounds and were pronounced deceased at the scene. Responding deputies secured the scene and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation.

During the continuous and extensive investigation, investigators identified Alberto Tomas Padron as a suspect in the murder.  Padron was taken into custody with assistance from the Riverside District Attorney’s Office Gang Impact Team.  Padron was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for murder charges.  This case is still active and on-going. No further information will be released at this time.

Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Lance Stoyer

File # C260420038

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office