Four men auspected in Palm Desert carjacking, armed robbery arrested

PALM DESERT — Four men in their 20s suspected of a carjacking and armed robbery in Palm Desert were taken into custody after being located during the execution of search warrants, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office reported. Investigators with the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, Palm Springs Police Department, District Attorney's Gang Impact Team, and U.S. Marshals Service executed residential warrants at 7 a.m. Thursday at the following locations stemming from an investigation of an armed robbery and carjacking on June 3:

• the 2700 block of Michigan Drive in the Salton Sea neighborhood
• the 60 block of La Jolla Drive in Desert Shores
• the 11300 block of Ocotillo Road in Desert Hot Springs
• the 81800 block of Avenida Del Mar in Indio
• and the 67 block of San Jacinto, also in Desert Hot Springs.

Deputies were sent to the 71000 block of Highway 111 in Rancho Mirage around 11:45 p.m. on June 3 regarding an armed robbery, where two victims were assaulted and robbed at gunpoint, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office.

Several minutes later, deputies responded to a carjacking in the 73000 block of Santa Rosa Way in Palm Desert, where the victim reported that several men with firearms stole his vehicle after a scuffle.

"Based on the suspects' description and vehicle, it was determined both crimes were committed by the same suspect," sheriff's officials said in a statement.

The victim's cellphone was left inside the vehicle, assisting deputies with tracking the suspects to a location on Angela Court in Indio.

"As deputies arrived in the area, the victim's vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, and a vehicle pursuit was authorized. After stopping near the intersection of Colby Way and Monroe Street in Indio, the driver fled on foot and was not located," sheriff's officials said.

Further investigation led deputies to a residence in the 45000 block of Bradley Way, where they executed a search warrant and located both suspects, along with the vehicle used during the alleged robbery.

A 20-year-old suspect was booked on suspicion of carjacking, robbery, and assault with a deadly weapon. A 25-year-old of Indio was booked on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Two other suspects, a 20-year-old of Desert Shores and a 23-year-old of Desert Hot Springs, were also arrested in connection with the crime.

All the suspects were booked into the John Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of robbery, carjacking, and assault with a deadly weapon.

Anyone with information regarding the robbery and carjacking was call to contact Investigator Hickok at 760-836-1600.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Four men auspected in Palm Desert carjacking, armed robbery arrested