Four people have been arrested in connection with an attempted murder investigation in Riverside County that uncovered an alleged real estate fraud scheme involving multiple victims, including elderly and deceased individuals, authorities announced.
The investigation began Dec. 8, 2024, when Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of an assault on an elderly person in the 27000 block of Storrie Lake Drive in Moreno Valley.
Arriving deputies found the injured victim, who told investigators someone had attempted to kill them, according to sheriff’s officials.
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition.
Investigators in Moreno Valley uncovered a real estate fraud scheme while working an attempted murder case on Storrie Lake Drive on Dec. 16, 2024. (Google)
Detectives investigating the assault identified 53-year-old Moreno Valley resident Lester Watkins as a suspect and uncovered evidence of suspected real estate fraud involving Watkins and several others.
Watkins was located in Diamond Bar on Dec. 16, 2024, and arrested without incident. He was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center on suspicion of attempted murder and elder abuse.
As the investigation expanded, detectives identified three additional suspects: 72-year-old Darnell Thompson, 22-year-old Danielle Thompson and 53-year-old Nakethia Taylor, all of Moreno Valley.
Investigators also identified at least four additional victims of suspected fraud, including elderly and deceased individuals, authorities said.
The scope of the alleged scheme prompted detectives to enlist the assistance of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Real Estate Fraud Unit.
On Oct. 13, 2026, investigators served search warrants at multiple locations throughout Moreno Valley, arresting Darnell Thompson, Danielle Thompson and Taylor without incident.
Lester Watkins, 53, was arrested in connection with an alleged attempted murder of an elderly man in Moreno Valley on Dec. 16, 2024. (Riverside County Sheriff’s Office)
Darnell Thompson, 72, was arrested in connection with a real estate fraud scheme uncovered by investigators working an attempted murder case in Moreno Valley on Dec. 26, 2024. (Riverside County Sheriff’s Office)
All three were booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center.
According to the sheriff’s office, Darnell Thompson was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, conspiracy, money laundering, grand theft, forgery and preventing or dissuading a witness.
Danielle Thompson was booked on suspicion of money laundering, while Taylor was booked on suspicion of forgery and perjury.
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Authorities have not disclosed how the alleged fraud was carried out, the financial losses involved or how the suspected scheme was connected to the original assault.
Investigators believe there may be additional victims.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Master Investigator Gomez with the Moreno Valley Sheriff’s Station Investigations Bureau at 951-486-6700 or Senior Investigator Shea with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office at 951-955-0723.
The joint investigation remains ongoing, with officials saying no additional information will be released at this time.
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