Victim Acknowledges Grandson Acted Alone

The victim of a home invasion robbery Oct. 8 in Pedley that led to the death of a sheriff’s deputy told investigators there were three suspects, even though there was only one--her grandson, Riverside Sheriff Larry D. Smith said Friday.

The victim, Senaida Acosta, 61, was house-sitting at the home that morning and had made breakfast for her 17-year-old grandson, Pedro O. Meza, Smith said. Later that morning, Meza bound his grandmother with duct tape, beat her, and was ransacking the house for cash and weapons when Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Thach arrived to investigate an open door. He was shot and killed by Meza, who fled with two rifles he had taken from the house.

Meza was shot and killed by SWAT team officers after he was found hiding in a nearby riverbed and aimed a rifle at his pursuers.

Meza had escaped from a juvenile detention honor camp two months earlier following convictions on burglary and weapons charges, Smith said.

Acosta initially had told investigators that there were three suspects because she was embarrassed by her grandson’s involvement, Smith said. On Thursday, when confronted by investigators, she acknowledged that Meza acted alone, Smith said.