Suspect identified after 3 PSPD officers assaulted

Authorities have identified one of the three suspects involved in last Thursday’s confrontation that lead to a fistfight with three Palm Springs police officers. Police took the other two suspects into custody as well, but their identities are being withheld because one is 16 years old and the other is 14 years old.

Anthony Richard Ramos, 19, of Desert Hot Springs, is facing misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, obstructing justice and delaying an officer after Thursday night’s brawl in the 100 block of South Belardo Road in Palm Springs.

But the teenagers he was with are both dealing with felony charges, including battery on a peace officer.

The Palm Springs Police Department was called around 10:30 p.m. after someone reported a man with a gun in the area. The witness told officers a group of males approached him and one of them showed what appeared to be a handgun tucked into his waistband.

According to a release from the Palm Springs Police Department, two officers arrived to find Ramos walking with the two teenagers. When officers tried to detain the group, the 16-year-old ran away and began physically resisting the officer who caught up to him.

As the officer was struggling with the teenager, two officers arrived to help and determined the suspect did have a loaded handgun tucked into his waistband, officers said in the release.

The three officers took the suspect into custody and secured the gun, but that’s when they said Ramos and the 14-year-old began shouting at police and threatening to assault them if they didn’t release the suspect.

The 14-year-old allegedly punched one of the officers in the face and then he and Ramos began struggling with the two additional officers, authorities said in the release.

When all three were in custody, officers determined the 16-year-old suspect needed medical attention. The actual cause of the medical emergency was under investigation, although officers believe drug and alcohol influence was a contributing factor.

The teenager was taken to the hospital for observation and the three officers were treated and released for moderate injuries stemming from the confrontation.

The 16-year-old is facing alleged violations of:

Obstructing justice/resisting an officer with force or threats (felony)
Battery on a peace officer resulting in injury (felony)
Minor illegally possessing a concealed firearm (felony)
Carrying a loaded firearm in public (misdemeanor)
Minor illegally possessing live ammunition (misdemeanor)
Possession of stolen property (misdemeanor)

The 14-year-old is facing alleged violations of:

Obstructing justice/resisting an officer with force or threats (felony)
Battery on a peace officer resulting in injury (felony)

Ramos is scheduled to appear in court on September 28. Police didn’t say when the teenagers are expected to be in court.

Detectives with the Palm Springs Police Department are conducting a followup investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867, or the Palm Springs Police Department at 760-323-8115.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will keep you updated as the investigation moves forward.