Crime

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A man out on bail in a deadly shooting case was arrested Wednesday in Indio on suspicion of possession of narcotics and numerous firearms, authorities announced.    Marcos Cruz Gaeta Jr., 45, was booked into Benoit Detention Center in Indio Thursday on suspicion of felon in possession of a firearm and

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office reports that a wanted suspect was arrested Wednesday night in Desert Hot Springs after leading them on a pursuit that began in Palm Desert. The chase began just before 4:30 p.m. after deputies located a vehicle being driven by a wanted subject in the area

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A Palm Springs man suspected of sexually assaulting multiple minors pleaded not guilty to charges on Monday. Jesse James Garcia-Airada, 28, faces 18 charges, including multiple sexual assault charges. According to court documents, investigators believe Garcia-Airada sexually assaulted over 15 girls and provided them with fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, and nicotine

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A man who fatally beat a 77-year-old woman living in the same Palm Desert apartment complex was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Ryan Alkana, 38, was officially sentenced Tuesday morning. He was convicted of murder and a sentence-enhancing allegation of using a weapon during a felony in April

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – A 21-year-old man was convicted and immediately sentenced for his role as an accessory in an Indio murder back in 2022. Isaac Anthony Martinez was found guilty Friday of accessory aids principal in felony to escape arrest/trial. He was sentenced to one year and four months in prison. Martinez was arrested on Sept.

Update 11/18/25 Court records show Jesse James Garcia-Airada is suspected of sexually assaulting more than 15 underage girls. He has been charged with 18 counts, including multiple sexual assault charges. Original Report 11/14/25 PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A Palm Springs man accused of sexually assaulting an underage girl, as well as multiple other cases

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two people, including a wanted suspect, were taken into custody following an hours-long standoff in Indio on Thursday. Police said a witness reported seeing a suspect wanted at around 10:30 a.m. near Sun Gold and Valencia Avenue. The suspect, a 30-year-old man, was wanted for allegedly striking his brother in the

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A 55-year-old woman in an electric wheelchair was struck and killed by a vehicle in a hit-and-run crash last week in Yucca Valley. The crash was first reported on Nov. 6 at around 2 p.m. on Airway Avenue and Primrose Drive. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Morongo

Update 11/10/25 Johnny Acosta was released on $30,000 bail, according to county jail records. Acosta is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 19. Original Report 11/7/25 DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A now-former Desert Hot Springs police officer was arrested on suspicion of assault nearly one year after a use-of-force investigation stemming from

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — A Rancho Mirage woman is speaking out after she says her wallet was stolen in a Trader Joe’s this week, and now she wants to warn others shopping this season. Sue Harvey’s wallet was stolen Wednesday before the suspect tried to spend thousands at nearby stores. Harvey filed a police

MORONGO VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) — The person who intentionally killed a 50-year-old Morongo Valley man last month in a hit-and-run is still on the loose, according to the man’s family and authorities.  Chris Garcia was killed on October 27 after a traffic collision at the intersection of Hess Boulevard and Senilis Avenue in Morongo Valley. His

MORONGO VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) – A Morongo Valley man was arrested on suspicion of murder after fatally stabbing a man and severely injuring a woman at their home early Wednesday morning. The incident was first reported at around 3:10 a.m. on the 51000 block of Twentynine Palms Highway. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s