Riverside Police Department
Press Release

 

For Immediate Release
Date February 2, 2003
Contact Sergeant Steve Johnson
Phone (909) 320-8005
Fax (909) 320-8043

 

Two Riverside Men Arrested for Connecticut Homicide

Riverside, Ca-  Investigators from the Connecticut State Police traveled to Riverside, California Friday looking for two men connected to a Sunday night homicide that occurred in North Stonington, Connecticut. A Connecticut State Trooper on routine patrol found 54 year-old James E Beattie lying alongside a roadway at about 11:15 p.m. His vehicle was parked nearby with the engine running. He had sustained several gunshot wounds.

Witnesses reported seeing three men standing next to two vehicles on Rt. 2 shortly before the victim was found. One of the vehicles belonged to Mr. Beattie. The second vehicle was described as a full sized pickup truck that was towing an enclosed car carrier trailer.

Investigators learned that Mr. Beattie’s son, 33 year-old James E. Beattie of Riverside, had traveled to Connecticut a few days before the shooting. He traveled with his mother’s fiancé, 53 year-old Ronald N. Rivet of Riverside. They were traveling in vehicle that matched the description of the second vehicle seen by witnesses. Other witnesses saw the two Riverside men with Mr. Beattie on the night of the murder. They left Connecticut Sunday night and drove back to Riverside.

Connecticut State Police Investigators traveled to Riverside Friday to interview James Beattie and Ronald Rivet. With the assistance of Riverside Police Department Detectives and S.W.A.T. personnel, they served a Search Warrant where the two men lived in the 10900 block of Thrush Street in Riverside. Both men were detained for questioning. Physical evidence related to the investigation was recovered at the residence.

After extensive interviews, both men were arrested for 187 P.C. Murder. They will be arraigned on Tuesday February 4, 2003 and are awaiting extradition to Connecticut. Anyone with information related to this investigation is urged to contact Connecticut State Police Detective Ed Gookin at 860-886-6603 or Riverside Police Detective Jeffrey Joseph at 909-320-8049.