Fugitive Sought In Winchester Slaying Arrested In Central California

WINCHESTER, CA — A fourth suspect sought in the killing of Winchester senior resident was arrested this week in Central California, authorities confirmed Wednesday morning.

Joseph Michael Salvati, 34, was booked into a San Luis Obispo jail on Monday afternoon following his arrest in the small coastal town of Oceana. The convicted felon from Moreno Valley was booked on suspicion of murder, robbery and burglary, according to jail records.

He was the last suspect sought in the March 3 fatal shooting of 78-year-old Winchester resident Robert Bettencourt. Salvati is suspected in the slaying along with Clifford John Franken, 53, of Hemet; Matthew Patrick Fromer, 51, of Menifee; and 46-year-old Kevin Richard Hirsch of Menifee.

Franken pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of robbery, burglary and special circumstance allegations of killing in the course of a robbery and killing in the commission of a burglary.

Fromer and Hirsch were arraigned last week, pleading not guilty to charges identical to Franken's.

Salvati is slated to make his initial court appearance once he is transferred back to Riverside County.

According to Sgt. Ed Baeza of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and court documents, the men allegedly forced their way into Bettencourt's house in the 28000 block of Whitaker Street, near Grand Avenue, sometime on March 3, assaulting and ultimately shooting the victim to death.

The criminal complaint alleges Hirsch was the triggerman.

The victim's fate remained unknown for three days, until loved ones contacted sheriff's officials after unsuccessful attempts to reach him, prompting deputies to conduct a welfare check, Baeza said.

Bettencourt's body was discovered inside the house, where indications of a struggle and forced entry were evident, according to investigators.

Over the ensuing two months, Central Homicide Unit detectives developed leads that ultimately pointed to the defendants as the alleged perpetrators, though specific details regarding the investigation weren't provided.

Court documents show that Franken has a prior conviction for vehicle theft, while Fromer has a prior felony for driving under the influence of drugs, and Hirsch has two priors in another jurisdiction that weren't listed.

Salvati has priors in Riverside County for carjacking and felony evading, documents indicated.