Desert Hot Springs Councilmember Russell Betts charged after possible road road incident

Longtime Desert Hot Springs Councilmember Russell Betts has been charged by the Riverside County District Attorney's office.

Betts has been charged with felony vandalism and misdemeanor false imprisonment, according to the criminal complaint, filed on Nov. 4.

According to an arrest declaration, the incident happened on the morning of Aug. 4 at a 7-Eleven. It details notes from DA Senior Investigator Lauren Swirsky.

The original report came from the victim's mother, who told police that the victim drove past Betts and made a hand gesture.

After watching the surveillance video, Swirsky writes that Betts is believed to have followed the victim into the 7-Eleven parking lot, where he parked his vehicle with little room for the victim's vehicle to get out. The victim attempted to back out to leave, and after two attempts, drove into Bett's side door with minimal force.

Betts is accused of then kicking the victim's vehicle and striking two more times with his hand before the victim was able to back out and leave the parking lot.

The investigator wrote that the auto repair shop noted that the damage to the victim's car came to about $3,224.

Betts is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 12 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

Betts told News Channel 3 that he had not been notified of the charges prior to today.

Desert Hot Springs Police Chief Jim Henson said his department's only involvement is forwarding a complaint to the DA's office for investigation by the Public Integrity Office. DHSPD is not involved in he case.

Betts has been a councilmember in Desert Hot Springs since 2007. He ran for mayor in this past election, however, he is down by more than 600 votes. His term is due to end in December.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.