Average Riverside County gas price rises, ending 5 straight days of decreases Man behind bars for alleged break-in, attempted sexual assault

By City News Service

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Riverside County rose onetenth of a cent Monday to $4.841, ending a streak of five days of decreases.

The average price is 2.2 cents less than one week ago, 5.9 cents more than one month ago, and 87.5 cents less than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and the Oil Price Information Service. It has dropped $1.532 since rising to a record $6.373 on Oct. 5, including one-tenth of a cent Sunday.

The national average price dropped a twotenths of a cent to $3.667, its fourth consecutive decrease after a 23-day streak of increases totaling 25.1 cents. The national average price is six-tenths of a cent less than one week ago, 22.6 cents higher than one month ago, and

45.3 cents less the one year ago.

It has dropped $1.349 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14.

"The recent surge in oil costs took a break this week, with the price of oil tumbling back into the upper $70s per barrel," said Andrew Gross, an AAA national public relations manager. "If this oil price trend continues, drivers may see falling gas prices."

Charges expected against San Jacinto senior accused of killing wife

By City News Service

A33-year-old man suspected of breaking into a woman's apartment in Palm Springs to sexually assault her was behind bars Monday.

Fernando Javier Hernandez of Coachella was arrested Sunday morning on suspicion of home invasion, attempted rape and sexual battery, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.

Police said the woman called shortly before 4:20 a.m. Sunday to report that a man broke into her apart-

By City News Service

Felony charges are expected to be filed Tuesday against a 70-year-old man suspected of fatally stabbing his wife in their San Jacinto home.

Lorenzo Salciedo Liera Jr. was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside Thursday on suspicion of murder for the slaying of 71-year-old Ruth Liera.

The case has been submitted to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office for review.

According to Sgt. Ben Ramirez, patrol deputies were sent to Liera's apartment in the 1700 block of South Santa Fe Avenue, near Esplanade Avenue, at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday to investigate reports of an assault.

Ramirez said that upon entering the residence, deputies found Ruth Liera dead as a result of "multiple sharp force injuries."

Her husband was outside the apartment and was detained without incident, the sergeant said. ment in the 700 block of Los Felices Circle and tried to sexually assault her. She said the man entered her apartment through an open window and attempted to assault her while she was asleep, according to police.

After he was questioned at length by Central Homicide Unit detectives, Lorenzo Liera was formally arrested and jailed Thursday night.

A possible motive for the alleged attack was not disclosed.

Background information on the suspect was unavailable.

"(She) was able to fight off the suspect, who returned and broke in through a closed window," Palm Springs police said in a statement. `The victim was again able to fight off the suspect, who then ran away.

Hernandez was identified as the suspect and was tracked down shortly after, according to police.

He was arrested around 6 a.m. near North Palm Canyon Drive, according to inmate records. Hernandez was subsequently booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where he remains held on $55,000.

Anyone with additional information on the break-in or the suspect was asked to call the police department's Investigations Division at 760-323-8121 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 760-347-7867.