Riverside, Ca- Tips from the community led Riverside Police Department investigators to the arrest of a suspect in the Christmas Day murder of an innocent 11-year-old boy at his home in the 6300-block of Antioch Avenue.

Martin Valdez, 19, of Riverside, was arrested at 8:45 a.m. Charges are pending. Homicide investigators received tips that identified an individual and also led to a small dark 2001 Lincoln LS sedan matching the description of the suspect vehicle. The registered owner matched the name given to officers.

Detectives conducted a 12-hour surveillance of a residence in the 8100-block Diana Avenue overnight, December 27-28, 2005; as SWAT Team members were moving into position, the suspect fled in a van driven by his grandmother. Riverside Police officers affected a felony traffic stop at the corner of Magnolia Avenue and Roslyn Street and made the arrest without incident.

The investigation indicates the December 28 shooting on Antioch was a mistaken-identification location for a gang-related retaliation shooting relating to an exchange of gunfire at a party December 24 at a Willard Way residence in Riverside. Five persons received non-life threatening gunshot wounds in that incident.

The investigation has involved Riverside Police Centralized Investigation Bureau robbery/homicide detectives, Special Investigations Bureau, Gang Unit, Narcotics Unit, the Metro Team, and Neighborhood Policing Center officers and represents an outstanding example of police unit teamwork, in cooperation with community members.

The investigation continues. Riverside Police continue to seek information on any aspect of this crime. Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Greg Rowe at 951-320-8024 or Detective Steve Shumway at 951-320-8011.

Maximiliano Miranda, 11, received a fatal gunshot wound to the chest, from a bullet fired through the door of his home when a suspect opened fire outside, at 8:06 PM on Dec. 25.

Miranda’s parents and younger brother, also at home, were unharmed. The victim and his family were new to the neighborhood; there is no apparent connection between the family or the targeted house. The intended target was a nearby home.

Plans are in place to ensure the safety of residents in areas of the city touched by recent gun violence.