Sheriff’s K-9 takes down suspect with knife

Officers with the Desert Hot Springs Police Department responded to the 14200 block of Palm Drive around 9:30 Friday night after someone claimed to have been assaulted outside a business in the area. The victim said the male attacker was armed with a knife, Sgt Christopher Saucier said.

Officers quickly located the suspect walking nearby, but the man refused officers’ commands and tried to run away, said Saucier.

A lengthy foot pursuit ensued as police chased the man through several neighborhoods before a K-9 unit arrived and helped in detaining the man. He was identified by police as Gary Preciado, 39, of Desert Hot Springs.

He was arrested and booked into the county jail in Banning on two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest.