450 E. Latham Ave.
Hemet, CA 92543
Non-Emergency: (951) 765-2400
Emergency – Dial 911
On Friday, April 25, 2025, the Hemet Police Department’s Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Team conducted a targeted “Blitz” operation, focusing on Petco and Smart & Final stores within the city. This proactive initiative aimed to address and deter organized retail theft activities affecting local businesses.
On April 23, 2025, at approximately 4:45 a.m., Hemet Police officers responded to the 1300 block of Division Court regarding a report of a suspicious vehicle parked near community mailboxes.
Upon arrival, officers located a tan/gold 1993 Jeep Cherokee parked directly adjacent to the mailboxes. The vehicle was occupied by an adult male, later identified as 42-year-old Naythan Story, who appeared to be unconscious in the driver’s seat while the vehicle was running.
The Hemet Police Department has successfully apprehended two suspects linked to a series of graffiti vandalism incidents that have plagued local businesses and public property over the past several weeks. On March 11, 2025, while conducting encampment enforcement along Florida Avenue, detectives from the AERO (Active Engagement Response and Outreach for our Community) Team obtained critical information regarding individuals responsible for the widespread “LMN” graffiti appearing throughout the city. The investigation led detectives to a local hotel, where they contacted the primary adult suspect.
During their contact, detectives discovered a significant amount of evidence directly linking him to the ongoing graffiti vandalism. Additionally, detectives seized 22.12 grams of methamphetamine and 1.84 grams of fentanyl, along with other evidence indicating narcotic sales. Initial estimates for damages caused by the tagging spree exceed $4,000 in just the past few weeks.
On Friday, February 28, 2025, the Hemet Police Department’s Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Team carried out a targeted operation to combat retail theft at Bath & Body Works and WSS Shoes in the City of Hemet.
As your Chief of Police for the Hemet Police Department, I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering support for the rights of freedom of speech and the right to assemble peacefully. These rights are fundamental to our democracy and are entitled to every one of us in this great country. We encourage individuals and groups to express their views and opinions.
During the final shopping days before Christmas, several California law enforcement agencies, including the Hemet Police Department, coordinated a successful enforcement operation targeting organized retail crime and promoting a safe shopping environment for communities throughout California.
The collaborative statewide retail theft crackdown on Friday, December 20, 2024 resulted in 117 arrests, the recovery of over $38,000 in stolen merchandise, the seizure of two illegal firearms, and the recovery of three stolen vehicles. The charges range from petty theft, grand theft, organized retail theft, felon in possession of a firearm and auto theft.
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, California voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 36, known as “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act.” Proposition 36 took effect on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
Proposition 36 modifies existing laws and adds substantive charges and enhancements to areas of the California Penal Code and Health and Safety Code regarding theft, property damage, and drug-related crimes.
On Saturday, December 14, 2024, The Hemet Police Department’s Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Team conducted an Organized Retail Theft Operation at Harbor Freight in the City of Hemet.
On Thursday, December 5, 2024, at approximately 07:57 am, Hemet Police Officers responded to a traffic collision west of the intersection of Kirby Street and Acacia Avenue.
Officers arrived on the scene within minutes and located the two vehicles involved; a smaller passenger vehicle and a City of Hemet Public Works utility truck. An adult male, later discovered to be a City of Hemet employee for the Public Works Department was discovered unresponsive at the scene. Officers immediately began providing first aid, but unfortunately the male succumbed to his injuries on scene.
On Thursday, November 14, 2024, The Hemet Police Department’s Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Team conducted an Organized Retail Theft Operation at Marshalls in the City of Hemet.
The Hemet Police Department is proud to announce the donation of a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor to the students of Alessandro High School’s Career Technical Education (CTE) First Responder program. The official donation took place on May 9, 2025, and marks an important step in strengthening partnerships between law enforcement and local Hemet schools to invest in the next generation of public safety professionals.
The Hemet Police Department is encouraging everyone to be alert to keep bicyclists safe. With the arrival of warmer weather, more people are biking for commuting, exercise, or recreation, making it essential for all people to look out for one another and save lives.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 1,105 people killed while riding a bike in 2022, and an estimated 46,195 bicyclists were injured.
“Bicycling is a great means of transportation and recreation, and everyone deserves to ride to their destination safely,” Sergeant Matt Chavez said. “Whether you are behind the wheel or on two wheels, we all share the responsibility to move safely on our roads .”
