UNPUBLIHED DETAILS OF HOW THE KILLER OF A RPD OFFICER WAS CAPTURED

The Manhunt for a Cop Killer as Never Told Before

by Salvador Santana
Interview with Lt. Larry González

* Excellent Police Work.

* Advanced Technology.

* The Lack of Brains of a Criminal.

While this especial and real police story is being published on June 25, 2012,  Riverside Superior Court Judge Jean Leonard will dictated sentence today to uphelp the jury's recomendation of death penalty for Earl Ellis Green, the killer of Riverside Police Officer Ryan Bonaminio, or sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Green lawyers request for a new trial was denied. Final: Judge sentence: Death. An automatic appeal will be filed with the California Supreme Court. This sentence closes a sad chapter in the history of Riverside.

Riverside Police Lieutenant Larry González is one of the nicest members of the Department, but it is easier to get an interview with President Barack Obama than with him.

Lt. González is the Special Operations Commander who directed the operations leading to the arrest of Earl Ellis Green, the killer of Police Officer Ryan Bonaminio.

The first time we tried to contact Lt. González, he never answered our call. The second time when we saw him at City Hall and repeated our request for an interview, he called us... about a month later!

Pero nunca es tarde si la dicha es buena. Never is late is there is joy. On Tuesday, June 19, 2012, we met at the City Hall cafeteria and completed ¾ of the interview, which is better than nothing. Good friends interrupted us several times.

The good part is that Lt. González revealed to us unpublished and intriguing details about how was possible to arrest Green, an operation even better than those seen in the past and present TV series as Columbo, Dragnet, The Fugitive, Kojak, The Streets of San Francisco, SWAT, and Flashpoint on ION Channel.

Lieutenant Lawrence "Larry" Vicente Gonzalez
was drafted by the Dodgers in 1987, as a right
hander pitcher when he was 17 years old. He
played in the minors for three years, In 1993,
he became a RPD Police Officer, promoted
to Seargent in 2001. On July 20, he will be
assigned as a night shift Watch Commander.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH LIEUTENANT LARRY GONZALEZ

The Truth Publication Online published an exhaustive reportage about the horrible crime and the proceedings of the trial, including exclusive photos. Now, coinciding with the judge sentence, we are bringing to our readers this fascinating story.

After Green stole a big-rig and was involved in a hit-and-run traffic accident, Officer Bonaminio, 27, spotted him and a pursue took place. Green bailed out from the truck he had stolen and run towards Fairmount Park. The young officer chased him, slipped on a muddy ground, then Green hit him in the head with a heavy metal pipe, took his pistol and killed him.

The assassin drove back the big-rig to the same place where he stole it, close to others belonging to the same company, and disappeared in the dark of the night.

Lt. González tells us, “We could identify the truck used by Green because it had a broken glass window, but we had to be very careful not to tamper evidences. As you know, the big-rig was towed away to the San Bernardino Police Lab, where a partial finger print of Green was taken from the tape he used to connect the ignition wires.

“Now we knew the suspect was Earl Ellis Green. Next step was to locate and arrest him. But it wasn't easy at the beginning. Green records showed three different addresses and five registered vehicles. It was his parole officer who provided us with Green's cellular phone number.”

HOW TECHNOLOGY HELPS POLICE TO CATCH CRIMINALS

Lt. González smiles slightly and continue to tell his story: “Green's cell had a “ping” inside, a GPS device. Using our technology, our objective was to locate the “ping”, in other words, Green's whereabouts. Every five minutes we hear a beep telling us the approximate location of our target. Under my Special Operations Command, there were 30 SWAT Officers, 5 SWAT Sergeants, including 10 snipers.

Lieutenant Larry Gonzalez also
teaches legal force at the Police
Academy. At some point, Bonaminio
was working under his command.
Larry's mother was born in Mexico. 

“We detected a “ping” close to University and Chicago. Helicopters were looking for one of the five vehicles registered or being driven by him. Most of the police cars were undercover, desperately looking for the cop killer. But, somehow, we lost the “ping” for a while.”

It was a manhunt. The killing of Officer Bonaminio made it somehow personal for his comrades. There was a moment it was thought by the high command to bring units from another law enforcement. But it wasn't necessary. “Our officers behaved very professionaly, overcoming personal feelings,” Lt. González said.

Then, BINGO, BINGO!: Green cell phone “ping” was recovered, this time close to Arlington and Division Street. A little very old truck driven by Green was spotted. At this point, undercover police cars kept a very close eye on it, until it was parked at a Canyon Crest Target parking lot.

Police had to use all kinds of precautions because it was reasonably thought Green was armed and very dangerous. “We didn't want another officers to get killed,” informed Lt. González.

After Green parked the old truck, he opened the hood to check something, while his girlfriend went shopping. From the Commander Post, Lt. González asked, “Do you have the solution?” (like in the ION episodes) And the answer was, “We have the solution!”

In a matter of seconds, dozens of unmarked and marked police car converged at the point where Green was checking the engine of his truck. Ha had the greatest surprise of his whole life. Perhaps he was thinking he was going to get away with the murder of a police officer.

“Hands up, you are under arrest!” The Miranda rights were read to him and was taken away for booking. He didn't resist. He had no chance.


THE LACK OF BRAINS OF A CRIMINAL

At the time of his arrest, Green was wearing the same bloody cloth he was using when he killed Bonaminio. On one of his shirt pockets an emblem could be read, “Earl.” The officer's pistol was found in a closet of his girlfriend home. He never got rid of the metal bar which he used to hit the officer three times in the head. And what is worse, he kept using his GPS cell and driving a very old truck easy to spot.

Green's criminal shortcomings remember us the bank robber who left his real business card to the teller.

We asked Lt. González, “Did you talk to Green?”

“Yes -he responded-, for about ten minutes."

“What was his attitude?”

“Very docile. He was complaining that he was attacked by the officers who arrested him, but we could not find any marks of bruises. He didn't want to talk about anything else, say sorry, admit the crime, or else.”

At the trial, when the jury came up with the death penalty recommendation, Green was smiling like he was the recipient of a homage. Perhaps he was thinking that now he will have shelter, food, clean clothing, entertainment and company for free. It will take 25 to 30 years to be executed. If ever. He's now 47.

Next day, after our interview with Lt. González, we called and e-mailed him to get some few more details, to complete our job. We are expecting President Obama to call us first. Isn't irritating not to get response from a person you like and admire? But what are you going to do with the man who cleaned University Avenue from a great deal of drugs and prostitution, and now this?

But, despite this inconclusive interview, we take our hats off to Lt. González and all the rest of law enforcement sergeants and officers who made possible the apprehension of a cop killer 42 hours after the crime was committed.

They don't want to be called heroes. But we do.

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Exclusive Interview With the Riverside Mayor

The End of Loveridge Political Era in Riverside

By Salvador Santana

(Editing: Jetta Hice)

*** Thirty-three Years in Office.

*** Main Reason for retirement.

*** The Legacy of the Politician.

*** How was he got shot and saved his life.

*** A Great Life of Stability and Productivity.

*** The City of Yesterday, and the One of Today.

*** Ron Loveridge the Man, the Human Being.

Ron and Marsha Loveridge: 51 years
of a happy marriage.

The Ron Loveridge’s political era will end in November 2012 when a new mayor is elected.

Thirty-three years in office, as a Council member (1979-1993), then Mayor (1994-2012), Ron has become a Riverside icon. This tall, white-haired, 73 years old man, has had a significant impact on the community.

In spite of his important position Loveridge has always kept a low-key, humble personality. Though introverted, he genuinely enjoys meeting and working with people. Recently, the Mayor granted an interview to this writer.

The Mayor kindly invited me to his comfortable office on the seventh floor of City Hall. His friendly and efficient secretary, Jetta Hice, made the arrangements.

The windows in the Mayor's office provide a wonderful view of the solar terrace and the downtown buildings. Inside, pictures, trophies, plaques and books are mute witnesses to the hard work of a leader and the transcendental decisions made inside its walls.

--- How is you health, Mayor?

--- Excellent.

--- So, why are you not running again?

--- Marsha.

--- Marsha? Your wife?

--- Yes, she has been my support and best friend since we met in college. She has put up with my busy schedule for so long. It is time for me to dedicate greater time for her. She has taken care of everything on the home front.

--- How did you meet her at the first place?

--- We met in a Philosophy class at the University of the Pacific in Stockton. Three years later we were married. Since then we have been a team. Without Marsha there would not have been “Ron Loveridge, the public man.”

When Loveridge talks about his wife, he sighs and get emotional. Fifty-one years of marriage with Marsha exposes a profound love, loyalty and caring of one for the other. This romantic union brought to this world two beautiful daughters, Joan and Kelly.

--- Mayor, I have known you for years. I've never seen you getting really upset, exploding. You're always very careful not to say anything that could hurt people.

--- Well, I am half Swedish, so I guess I have some northern reserve.

--- What have been the happiest and saddest moments during your tenure?

--- Both happened in the same year – 1998. The happiest one was when Riverside was awarded recognition as an “All American City.” To me it meant that Riverside was moving in the right direction.

--- And the saddest?

--- The shooting at City Hall just a few months later. It was horrible!

--- You and several other officials were hurt...

--- I was hit in the back of the neck., a wound that required 16 stitches. The bullet passed less than an inch from my spine. It was a miracle that nobody was killed, although other Council members and police officers were hurt. Chuck Beaty, Ward One Council member, who fought the assailant, was badly injured. His life was saved thanks to the quick intervention of Steve Early, who is now the Riverside Fire Chief, and the excellent medical attention at Riverside Community Hospital. Early stopped the bleeding until paramedics arrived. Even today, Beaty is affected by the life-threatenings wounds he received. He is a brave man and deserves our admiration and good wishes.

(SEE THE COMPLETE STORY ABOUT THE SHOOTING INCIDENT PUBLISHED BY THE LOS ANGELES TIMES ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, AT THE END OF THIS INTERVIEW.)

Loveridge earned a PhD in 1965 and MA in 1962 in
Political Science from Stanford University, and BA in 1960
in P.S. from University of Pacific. What an exemplary life!
Robert Kennedy was his political idol.

--- Ron Loveridge began his political career when he ran for Student Body President at UOP. His mother set an example. She was on the school board for 15 years and was always active in the Concord Presbyterian Church.

--- You have been in politics for 33 years, a UCR Political Science professor for 47 years and married to Marsha for 51 years. Respectfully, I call you “Mister Stable.” What is the legacy of Ron Loveridge, the Public Server?

--- Salvador, in 1979, Riverside was a rapidly growing city, but seemingly lacking direction and pride. In 2012 it is a  city of 308,000 people – a university community with a significant history and dedicated citizens. Riverside has made progress in the areas of environment, the arts, education, infrastructure, redevelopment and development. The Renaissance Program has converted Riverside into a modern metropolis. Of course, this cost money, but the bonds issued for those projects will be paid in a timely manner as our financial experts have predicted.

And the Mayor continues, “What has been done to build new parks and remodel others has been terrific. Riverside is the only one of the twelve largest cities in California not in the 'red,' keeping a substantial reserve. Despite the economic crisis, our City has kept all public services functioning, although some adjustments had to be made.

“One of our current projects is “Fit, Fresh and Fun.” A task force has been chosen to encourage healthier citizens and reduce obesity. Ongoing has been our commitment to the “Sister City” program to increase connection and understanding with people in other countries. Recently, the people of Riverside collected more than $600,000 to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Sendai, Japan, our first Sister City. “Seising our Destiny” is the most significant and ambitious economic development plan the City of Arts and Innovation has seen in decades.”

--- Mayor, how will you cope with the fact that after coming to City Hall for 33 years it will be no more?

--- I will be teaching Political Science at UCR, but I won't be coming back to City Hall. When you finish your mission, you walk away. But I will be available if needed. I feel in peace with myself, having done my best for the City and its residents.

--- Hobbies?

--- As to hobbies, they will continue to be reading and walking.

--- Mister Mayor, some people could have disagreed with you about some city issues, but everybody agrees that you have conducted yourself, publicly and privately, with decency, honesty, honor, dignity, great dedication and devotion to the the City that you love so much. Thanks for the memories.

--- Thank you.

________________________________________________

THE SHOOTING AT CITY HALL,

by The Los Angeles Times

Six people were wounded Tuesday morning on October 6, 1998, including the mayor and two City Council members and two police officers, after a dismissed recreation department chess coach opened fire with a handgun in a City Hall conference room and was finally shot by police in a terrifying close-quarters battle.

Authorities said the suspect, a U.S. postal carrier, entered the room shortly before a scheduled city government meeting at 8:00 a.m. The suspect, Joseph Neale, 48, shut the door and began firing at elected officials with a 9-millimeter handgun. Police responded minutes later, using  crowbar and sledge hammer to force open the door.

Neale, police said, began firing a them and they returned fire through the partially open door. (The small conference room is right next to the dais.) In the chaos it was unclear whether any of the city official were struck by police gunfire as officers moved in.

The most seriously injured in the attack was Riverside City Councilman Chuck Beaty, who underwent extensive surgery for wounds to his face and shoulder and was listed in guarded condition afterward. Beaty received 32 stitches to his tongue, lost a lot of teeth, and has had his jaw bone rebuilt twice. He is still in severe pain.

Ex Riverside Council members Ameal Moore,
at the left, and Chuck Beaty, ambos victims
of the shooting at City Hall.

Riverside Police Sgt. Wally Rice was in stable condition after undergoing surgery for a gunshot wound in his lower abdomen. A second police officer, Scott Borngrebe, escaped injury after a gunshot was deflected by his bullet-proof vest, and a third officer, Chris Manning, received a grazing wound on his hand. (Today, Manning is a Lieutenant.)

Mayor Ron Loveridge was grazed by gunfire on the shoulder and neck and appeared later at a news conference, where he lauded the quick police response. Neale also underwent surgery after he was shot by police. The suspect was hospitalized in serious condition after surgery Tuesday evening.

Neale, a Riverside resident, "appeared to be disgruntled employee" who worked as a six-hour-a-week chess coach for the City Parks and Recreation Department from 1986 to 1994, said Riverside Police Chief Jerry Carroll. Neale, who has worked for the U.S. Postal Service since 1989, filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city after being fired as the organizer and coach at a local community center, where he was known as "Chessman."

In his lawsuit, Neale complained that he was fired after writing  5-page manifesto that he sent to the city officials and apparently the White House, complaining of oppression against black men. City officials, court record shows, denied that Neale was dismissed for writing the lengthy treatise, but did not disclose why he was fired.

Mayor Loveridge, a recipient of Neale's essay, characterized the shooting as "surrealistic, something you'd see on television or in the movies."

"I'm very glad to be alive," Loveridge said. "This raises questions about the safety of all of us in public office." He said he thought at one point: "you may not leave that room, that your final testimonial might be to be lying on the floor of a small room."

A shaken Councilman Ameal Moore said the confrontation occurred so fast, "it's hard to describe." (His ears were affected by the sounds of the shots.) Ameal said, Neale entered the small, windowless conference room, situated in the corner of a City Hall annex that houses the council meeting chambers, and began shooting.

"I heard two shots before I ducked behind the table with the mayor," Moore said. "All I could see from under the table was that he was shooting at anything that moved. Within minutes, police stormed the room, but "it seemed like an eternity."

Another City Council member, Laura Pearson, was struck in the hip by a bullet fragment. Council woman Terri Thompson  was not struck by gunfire but was taken to a nearby hospital for observation.

There were no security guard or metal detector at the entrance. (Today it is impossible to enter that room without knowing a code.) At the time the police arrived, Neale was barricaded. By then, about nine police officers were at the scene and several began to break down the locked door. As the door gave way, Neale began shooting at the police officers through the door, and officers returned fire, striking him.

"I'm not sure I'd be standing here today if it weren't for their decision to come in, to force the door," said Loveridge.

(Today, in 2012, Chuck Beaty is still receiving treatment for the wounds he suffered on October 6, 1998.)

A real miracle nobody was killed. "We were lucky Mr. Neale was a poor shooter," said Loveridge to the reporter. In February of 2001, Neal was sentenced to 374 years in prison.

A comment: We all have a number. No one in that City Hall room had one that tragic day.

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TAKE NOTES

As a Catholic, I'm getting really worried about the future of the religion brought to earth by Jesus Christ. The sexual abuse of children and the cover-up by bishops and archbishops of those pedophile priests doesn't stop. In Philadelphia, Monsignor William Lynn was found guilty by a jury of child endangerment for covering up allegations of abused children. Lynn was sending 37 of those criminal priests to other churches, to keep doing the same, with the intention to protect the church reputation. Lynn, 61, was denied bail and face up to six year in prison. Recently, a huge scandal took place at the Vatican, which has been silenced since. 
______________________________

The Regatta competition between Riverside Council members at Fairmont Park left a winner: Ward 5 Councilman Chris MacArthur. He was followed by Paul Davis, Rusty Bailey, Andy Melendrez, Mike Gardner, and Steve Adams.
___________________ 

If anybody thinks tenants have rights, it is nothing further from the truth. Landlords can evict tenants, for a good reasons or for no reasons at all. Especially managers commit atrocities against renters, knowing the ancestral laws still in force protect them. That this happens in the U.S., it is absolutely hard to believe. The Truth Publication is offering its pages to tenants who are being abused by landlords/managers.

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BELIEVE IT OR NOT

A lady called 911 in Los Angeles.

"I'm on fire..my husband did it..Ay, ay, aaaaayyyy...."
"Do you need the paramedics?"
"Yeeeeeessssss!"
"How old are you?"
"Ayyyyy...ayyyy....ayyyyyy.
"Why did he do it?
"Aaaaaay...aaaaaaay..."
"Are you in pain?
"Aaaaaay....aaaaaay..."
"Has he done that to you before?
"Aaaaaaaay.....aaaaaaayyyyy."

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ANOTHER ELECTION IN RIVERSIDE

Rumors running the
streets of Riverside,
that Nancy Hart will
retire in 2013.

Riverside Councilman Andy Melendrez informed The Truth that the next Riverside election will be in June 4, 2013. Wards 2, 4, and 6 will be for grabs. Andy Melendrez and Paul Davis will run for reelection. In Ward 6, rumors are in City Hall that Nancy Hart will retire. If she decides to not run again, there will be three candidates competing for the Ward 6 chair. This election will be strictly by mail. So far, The Truth is endorsing Andy Melendrez for Ward 2, and Paul Davis for Ward 4. 
The Truth reporter interviewed the Mayor and six Council members, asking them who they are going to endorse for Mayor in November, Ed Adkison or William Bailey. With the exception of Chris MacArthur, who endorses Ed Adkison, and Gardner, the rest said they need a few days to decide. Late news: Steve Adams is endorsing Adkison.

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TWO EDITORIALS IN ONE

*** The Riverside Election Shortcomings.

*** Was Justice Served a Hundred Percent?

"Who cares about voting?"

The seven candidates who participated in the recent Riverside election for Mayor should deserve credit for their clean and respectful campaigns. No low blows, no personal attacks, no diatribes.

Mike Gardner, Andy Melendrez, William Bailey, Ed Adkison, Devonne Pitruzzelo, Peter Benavides and Aurora Chavez set a example to the rest of the country of how political campaigns should be run.

They stuck just to the issues.

The same cannot be said for 80% of the registered voters, who completely ignored their citizen and moral obligations staying away from the polls. What a shame!

The word democracy comes from the Greek language: Demos (people); Kratos (power.)

Democracy requires people's participation in the election of their governments.

The fact that only 20% of the registered voters in Riverside cast their votes, it is alarming, it is disgusting, it is anti patriotic. It is a dagger in the heart to our free enterprise system. In round numbers, 24,000 people voted out of 120,000.

Out of those 24,000 voters, about 6,500 voters are the ones deciding who will govern all of us. In a City with 308,000 inhabitants! This is crazy!

Does that 80% have lost faith in politicians? Do the bad examples of leaders as John Edwards, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have destroyed the faith in our bellwethers?

We have to bring that 80% to the polls, or the United States will become another China.

FINAL TALLY RIVERSIDE ELECTION FOR MAYOR:

Bailey: 9,869. Adkison: 8,190. Gardner: 5,028. Melendrez: 4,304. Pitruzzello: 1,094. Chavez: 1,068. Benavidez: 644. Total: 30,197. Registered voters (round numbers) 120,000. 25% of register voters cast their ballots. (Report by Donald Gallegos.)
_________________________________________________________________

The killing of Riverside Police Officer Ryan Bonaminio and the trial of People v. Earl Ellis Green have been one of the saddest episodes in the history of Riverside.

There were no excuses for Green to kill the officer. It was an execution style assassination. The jury (not a black juror in the jury) came up with a first degree murder with especial circumstances verdict, and a recommendation for death in the penalty phase. In June 25, 2012, the Judge will dictate sentence, ratifying the jurors' recommendation, or change it to life in prison without parole. This will be very improbable.

Earl Ellis Green

But does justice have been served a hundred percent?

As guilty is Green for killing a young and magnificent RPD Officer, as society that never took care of his killer, a child and an adult mentally and emotionally traumatized by a broken home, by abused parents, knowing nothing but violence around him during his whole turbulent and miserable life. Green was abandoned by society. He had no help from us. He became a monster, insensible to death, to the welfare of others.

Green was not and is not a normal person. He has the mentally of a child. Could you image he was laughing when the jury recommended the death penalty? Is it that normal? He was laughing at the judge, at the jury, at the relatives of the officer.

Convicted Earl Ellis Green will be alive (maybe) for another 25 or 30 years in death row. We, taxpayers, are going to pay for his shelter, food, and clothing.

He has found a new home. He's happy. No signs of remorse visible.

When society is going to be seated in the defendant's chair?

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