Teen accused of trying to beat elderly woman to death is arrested

A 14-year-old boy wanted on suspicion of torturing and attempting to kill an 87-year-old woman as she slept in a retirement home in Hemet has been arrested, police said.

Raymond Michael Miranda was tracked to Temecula on Thursday evening and brought back to Hemet, where he was booked into the city jail, Hemet police said in a statement.

Officials said took the unusual step of releasing the boy’s photo and identity Thursday “due to the serious nature of the case” and the need for the public’s help in tracking the homeless teen down.

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Police said they believe that Raymond and a 15-year-old teen somehow broke into the gated retirement home, The Camelot, after committing several acts of vandalism in the area and came upon the sleeping woman. The two teens allegedly brutally beat her and poured bleach on her body before fleeing the scene, police said.

The woman remained in critical condition in an intensive-care unit on Thursday, a week after the attack, according to police.

“This is a very egregious attack. This lady was severely beaten,” Hemet police Lt. Dean Evans told KTLA. “Both of these kids are just a menace.”

Police said officers were able to arrest the 15-year-old boy at around 9 p.m. the evening of the attack, after he allegedly attempted to flee on foot. However, despite an extensive search that included the use of a bloodhound, authorities were unable to track Raymond.

It was not immediately clear how he made it to Temecula, or how he was discovered.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call Hemet Police Det. Doug Klinzing at (951) 634-1221 or (951) 765-2400. Anonymous tips can be made at the numbers, police said.