3 arrested for armed robbery after man’s cellphone stolen

The La Quinta Police Department arrested three suspects on Thursday after a man’s cellphone was stolen at knife-point while he was at park.

Officers said the robbery took place around 8 a.m. at Velasco Park, located at Avenida Velasco and Calle Temecula. Three young Hispanic men were seen fleeing the scene in a white Toyota driven by a Hispanic female.

About four hours after the robbery, officers stopped a car matching the description on Avenida Diaz and Calle Colima where they detained two suspects. The traffic stop led to a search warrant at a home in the 53700 block of Avenida Juarez, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

The victim’s cell phone was found inside the home and officers arrested 19-year-old Daniel Ruiz, Erick Medina, 18, and Jesus Chavez, also 18. All three suspects are from Indio.

Authorities said the three suspects were arrested for robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. They were booked at the Riverside County Jail in Indio.

If you have information about this crime, you’re asked to call the La Quinta Special Enforcement Team at 760-863-8990.