Multiple suspects in custody after robbing a jewelry store at Palm Desert mall
Update 7-26-23 10:45 a.m.
Four suspects are in custody after they robbed a jewelry store inside the Shops at Palm Desert Tuesday evening.
Riverside County Sheriff's Department apprehended a 21-year-old man from Hemet and a 25-year-old woman from Los Angeles, along with two minors.
According to the Sheriff's Department, the suspects shattered display cases with sledgehammers and glass-breaking tools. Witnesses saw the suspects drive away, and deputies quickly found the car speeding northbound on Monterey Avenue.
The Sheriff's Department said the suspect's car crashed with another car, and the suspects ran away in the area of Monterey Avenue and Dinah Shore Drive but were quickly found and detained.
Original story:
A brazen theft at a jewelry store inside the Shops at Palm Desert led to a brief lockdown and heavy police presence at the mall.
The incident was reported at around 5:15 p.m.
"I was in the food court with my buddy and I just saw a lot of people running, I saw a mass panic," said Antony, a shopper who was inside the mall at the time of the incident.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Dept initially responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon, however, it was later determined to be a grand theft at a store inside the mall, the agency confirmed.
The agency confirmed rumors of an active shooter were false.
5:14 PM deputies were dispatched to the 72000 block of State Highway 111 in #PalmDesert . After arrival, deputies determined it was a grand theft from a business at the location. This was NOT an Active Shooter.
— Riverside County Sheriff (@RSO) July 26, 2023
However, at the time, that's what was going through the mind of shoppers like Antony.
"First thing going through my mind was like, is there actually a shooter right now in the mall," Antony said.
It was a relief to some at the mall, who briefly thought it was a much more serious threat.
"In these situations, it's just important to stay calm," Antony said.
The actual incident was a theft at the M. Ruiz Jewelers store on the second floor of the mall. Authorities said suspects used an unknown object to shatter display cases. They stole items and fled from the location.
Deputies were able to obtain a good description of the suspects. All four suspects were detained in the area of Monterey and Dinah Shore in Palm Desert a short time later.
News Channel 3 crew saw a vehicle that crashed in the area.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.
