Travel Club treasurer arrested on embezzlement charges

Bob Templeton

Canyon Lake Travel Club Treasurer Robert Templeton, 78, was arrested Wednesday on charges of allegedly embezzling over $24,000 from a local non-profit Travel Club, according to Sergeant Julio Olguin of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Templeton is being accused of allegedly diverting club funds into his personal bank account from January of 2017 through December of 2019. Investigators said they found 56 transactions during this period for non-business purposes, totaling over $24,000.00.

Templeton was interviewed and arrested Wednesday afternoon in Lake Elsinore by the Canyon Lake Police Department on felony charges of Embezzlement, Grand Theft and Theft by False Pretenses. He was booked into Southwest Detention Center without further incident, police said. His bail was set at $10,000 and he was released on bail later that day.

In August, The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office forwarded a criminal complaint to the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station Investigations Bureau regarding an embezzlement incident that had occurred in the City of Canyon Lake. During this complex and lengthy investigation, investigators said they found the diverted funds allegedly in Templeton’s personal account.

Bob Templeton

“Bob” Templeton served as the treasurer of the Canyon Lake Travel Club, but also as the Purser (treasurer equivalent) of the Canyon Lake Yacht Club. There was no indication from Canyon Lake Police that the current charges were in connection with anything other than Travel Club funds.

Templeton is due back in court on August 4 at the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation can contact Investigator Alkire at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at (951) 245-3300 or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center at (951) 776-1099.