Man who allegedly stole wedding ring, tried to resell it to victim charged

A man who allegedly stole a wedding ring from a woman who tried to sell it online, then attempted to sell the ring back to the woman, was charged with extortion, grand theft, and evading arrest today.

Yukon Lee Branch, 43, is accused of stealing the ring on New Year’s Eve after meeting the woman in Palm Desert under the guise of purchasing it, according to investigators.

Upon meeting at 8:30 p.m. Monday in the 34500 block of Monterey Avenue, sheriff’s deputies allege Branch grabbed the ring and sped away in a vehicle. He later allegedly attempted to sell the ring back to the woman for $500, according to sheriff’s deputies.

Branch was apprehended by police after he allegedly sped away from offices at a traffic stop that night near Indian Canyon Drive and Interstate 10, triggering a pursuit through North Palm Springs. He was arrested near Wendy and Tipton roads just before 2 a.m. Jan. 1, according to county jail records and was being held without bail.

Branch is slated to make his initial court appearance this afternoon.