Man arrested after attempted carjacking near Desert Hot Springs

Deputies arrested an 18 year old man Monday afternoon who is accused of trying to steal a car at gunpoint.

Authorities said the attempted carjacking happened around 2:35 p.m. in an unincorporated area of south Desert Hot Springs near Avenida Manzana and Camino Campesino.

According to a release from the Palm Desert Station, the victim said the suspect flagged him down, opened the car door and demanded the vehicle while pointing a gun at him.

The victim refused to give up his car, but the suspect grabbed some of the man’s property before running away, deputies said.

Through the course of the investigation, deputies identified the suspect as 18-year-old Elijah Long of Desert Hot Springs.

Several hours into the investigation, Long was arrested as he was leaving a home near the 66000 block of Joshua Court. Deputies found a handgun after searching the residence.

Afterward, deputies searched Long’s residence as well and found ammunition and suspected stolen identifications.

Long was arrested on charges of armed robbery, attempted carjacking, and for being a felon in possession of ammunition, according to authorities. He was booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio.

If you have information that could help with the investigation, you’re asked to call Deputy Rubio with the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at 760-836-1746.