Police officer assaulted as brawl turns ugly at Temecula winery

Temecula police were called after an unruly crowd of winery patrons got out of control Saturday, it was learned today.

Bel Vino Winery (Courtesy photo)

According to a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department report, law enforcement officials were called to the scene of a “large-scale disturbance” at about 2:44 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 at Bel Vino Winery, located at 33515 Rancho California Rd., in Temecula.

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As police arrived, “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,” Sgt. Steve Fredericks said in the report.

The women attempted to escape, assisted by other winery guests and family members, who “physically obstructed and then assaulted the deputies,” officials said.

Fredericks identified those individuals 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,” Fredericks said.

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, officials said.

Arrests included Narra Montufar for felony battery on a peace officer and public intoxication; William Andrews for obstructing a peace officer and public intoxication; Alexis and Crystal Montufar for battery and public intoxication; and Carlos Montufar for obstructing a peace officer and public intoxication.

All 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.