Two Teens Arrested After Palm Springs Carjacking

Palm Springs police arrested two 18-year-olds on Monday night after a man was carjacked as he slept in his car.

Sgt. Mike Kovaleff said a man reported the carjacking around 10:20 p.m. on the 300 block of Arenas Road. He told police had been sleeping in his car when a man woke him by tapping on his window and showing him a gun.

He said he got out, and the man demanded money. As another man acted as a lookout, the car’s owner surrendered his wallet , and eventually the keys to his car out of fear for his life.

Both men drive off.

All available PSPD officers responded and began searching for the suspects.

About 30 minutes later, officers found the car parked and empty in the 400 block of South Calle El Segundo.

Officers waited, and at 11:40 p.m., two men were seen getting into the car, and driving away.

Officers tried to stop the vehicle a short distance later, but the it abruptly stopped, and both suspects ran out of the car. Police ran after them, and caught them hiding in two separate locations in a nearby apartment complex.

A loaded and stolen handgun was recovered near the arrest location that resembled the handgun described by the victim.

Avante Gant, 18, was arrested for carjacking and several additional felonies, including a felon in possession of a loaded and stolen handgun during the commission of a felony.

Gant was also wanted at the time of his arrest for an armed carjacking that occurred in Desert Hot Springs on Jan 11, 2011.

Marcus Kennedy, 18, was arrested for carjacking and two additional felonies.

Both suspects were transported to the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

All of the victim’s property was recovered, including his wallet and vehicle.