On Saturday, February 9, 2013, at 2:44 PM, deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Southwest Station responded to a reported assault and battery at Bel Vino Winery, 33515 Rancho California Road, in the unincorporated area of Temecula. As deputies responded, Sheriff’s Dispatch received additional calls from the business indicating there was a large-scale disturbance at the establishment, involving approximately 100 people. Due to the potential size of the incident, additional officers from the Temecula Police Department and a Riverside Sheriff’s helicopter responded to assist.

Deputies arrived within minutes and immediately observed a large, unruly crowd of winery patrons, some suffering from obvious injuries, gathered in the parking lot and driveway in front of the business. Witnesses directed the deputies to two female suspects involved in the initial assault, later identified as 21-year-old Alexis Montufar, of Lakewood, and her sister, 26-year-old Crystal Montufar, of San Diego. When deputies tried to contact the suspects, the two women attempted to escape and were assisted by family members and winery patrons who physically obstructed and then assaulted the deputies. The involved family members and winery patrons were later identified as 45-year-old Carlos Montufar, of San Diego, 42-year-old Narra Montufar, of San Diego, and a 28-year-old British citizen, William Andrews, who came to the winery as a guest of the Montufar family.

Numerous Sheriff’s deputies and Temecula Police officers, along with the Riverside Sheriff’s helicopter, which landed to assist, were required to disperse a large crowd of intoxicated patrons, as well as provide security for deputies investigating the initial assault. Most of the winery patrons had arrived in various tour buses, and were permitted to leave the premises with their respective tour groups once deputies determined the drivers were not impaired.

Ultimately, Narra Montufar was arrested for felony battery on a peace officer and public intoxication, William Andrews was arrested for obstructing a peace officer and public intoxication, Alexis and Crystal Montufar were both arrested for battery and public intoxication, and Carlos Montufar was arrested for obstructing a peace officer and public intoxication. All arrestees were booked at the Southwest Detention Center. One deputy suffered a moderate injury during the altercation. He was treated at a local hospital and released the same day.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Deputy Rhodes of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Southwest Station at (951) 696-3000.

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