Child Annoyance Suspect Arrested, More Southwest RivCo Victims Sought

TEMECULA, CA — A 32-year-old Hemet man previously released on bail in an unrelated case has been taken into custody in Temecula on suspicion of child annoyance, authorities announced Tuesday.

Deputies from the Southwest Sheriff's Station began investigating reports of child annoyance on Saturday in the 40000 block of Winchester Road. Joshua Michael Wafer was identified as a person of interest, Riverside County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Joe Narciso said.

Wafer was being held at the Southwest Detention Center on pending felony charges of exhibiting harmful material to a minor and committing a felony while on bail, as well as a misdemeanor annoyance charge.

Several juveniles were allegedly approached by Wafer, who then displayed harmful material and engaged in inappropriate conduct with the minors in public, Narciso said.

Wafer was located by deputies at his residence, near Auld Avenue in Hemet, and taken into custody.

Anyone with information regarding the case was urged to call Deputy Kevin Au at 951-696-3000.