Old Town Temecula Stabbing: Man Arraigned On Attempted Murder Count

TEMECULA, CA — A man accused of stabbing a 35-year-old motorist during a traffic dispute in Temecula pleaded not guilty Monday to attempted murder and other charges.

Rigoberto R. Reyes, 43, was arrested last month following the alleged attack in the 28400 block of Old Town Front Street, near Moreno Road.

Along with attempted murder, Reyes is charged with sentence-enhancing allegations of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony and inflicting great bodily injury.

He was arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Elaine Kiefer, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Aug. 30 at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

The defendant is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the nearby Cois Byrd Detention Center.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Frank Tiburzio, shortly before 1 p.m. on May 21, Reyes and the victim, identified only as an "adult male," were involved in a roadway dispute while in their respective vehicles.

The confrontation culminated in the two men stopping on Old Town Front Street, where Reyes allegedly pulled a knife and attacked the victim, inflicting "multiple stab wounds," the sergeant said.

The defendant allegedly fled the location immediately afterward.

Witnesses called 911, and the victim was taken to a southwest county hospital, where he received emergency treatment. He is recovering from the injuries.

Tiburzio said that patrol deputies were able to obtain the license plate number of the vehicle that the assailant was driving. They spotted it minutes later in the 42200 block of Main Street, where the defendant was taken into custody without incident, he said.

Reyes has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.