Transient Identified As Suspect In Irvine Bike Path Murder
IRVINE (CBSLA.com) — A 37-year-old transient was in custody Thursday after being identified by Irvine police as the suspect in a fatal stabbing on a bicycle path.
Detectives identified Dennis Thomas Monson Jr., a warehouse worker, immediately as a suspect in the Jan. 19 killing of 51-year-old Sidney Siemensma, with whom he was acquainted.
Monson was taken into custody on suspicion of possessing child pornography on his cell phone, and since then, Irvine police continued investigating the homicide, including submitting evidence for forensic testing. The homicide case has been submitted for criminal charges to the Orange County District Attorney's Office, Irvine police said.
Police had received a report of a bleeding man from a jogger and passing motorists and found Siemensma on a bike path alongside the San Diego (405) Freeway near Irvine Center Drive behind the Los Olivos residential community.
Investigators say Monson had been with Siemensma. After an altercation, Monson repeatedly stabbed Siemensma and fled the scene, according to police.
Monson, who is being held on $50,000 bail, is scheduled to make his first court appearance on March 7.
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