La Quinta man accused of attempted homicide for allegedly beating elderly man

A 23-year-old La Quinta man is facing attempted homicide and elder abuse charges for allegedly beating up a man in his 70’s on Monday morning. The victim was beaten so badly he was taken to the intensive care unit, according to sheriff’s deputies.

The incident happened at about 8:30 a.m. in the 53-500 block of Eisenhower Drive in La Quinta. Officers said the victim is in his early 70s and was still in intensive care Tuesday afternoon. Investigators from the Thermal station began looking for the suspect Monday morning.

The next morning, investigators arrested Joshua Garcia of La Quinta for attempted homicide and elder abuse. The suspect was taken into custody at about 8 a.m. on Tuesday and was booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio, according to the sheriff’s department.

Authorities haven’t elaborated on how they identified Garcia as the suspect. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Investigator Mike Luna at (760) 863-8990, or you can stay anonymous by reporting a tip to Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-7867.

KESQ and CBS Local 2 will deliver updates on this case as the suspect makes it to court.