Crime

A 29-year-old motorist who perpetrated a series of unexplained attacks on fellow drivers and one bicyclist throughout Palm Springs was convicted today of nearly a dozen charges. After deliberating less than a day, a Riverside jury found Juaquin Mercer Moraga of Palm Springs guilty of three counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon, two

Female inmates sexually exploited by an ex-Riverside County sheriff’s deputy responsible for supervising them on a home detention program are federally suing the county, sheriff’s administrators and others for alleged civil rights violations, it was announced today.    “Deputy (Christian) Heidecker sexually preyed upon the plaintiff(s) and took advantage of (their) vulnerabilities,” according to a

A San Bernardino man was arrested in connection with a theft earlier this month at an outlet mall in Cabazon. The suspect, a 39-year-old man, is suspected of stealing property at a business in the 48000 block of Seminole Drive in Cabazon. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, when deputies arrived, the four suspects

The defense is expected to rest tomorrow in the trial of a 29-year-old motorist accused in a series of unexplained attacks on fellow drivers and one bicyclist throughout Palm Springs in a single afternoon, resulting in damage and minor injuries.   Juaquin Mercer Moraga of Palm Springs was arrested in June 2022 following the alleged assault

Police announced the arrest Tuesday of a second suspect in connection with robberies this past October at the Gucci Store in Palm Desert. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said an additional theft occurred at the same business on the afternoon of Feb. 12. The circumstances were also similar to the robberies back in October. Isaiah

A 24-year-old man who was thrown off a balcony after witnesses spotted him swimming naked in the pool of an apartment complex has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Tracy Marquis Rose of Palm Springs pleaded guilty March 12 to one felony count each of attempted murder, assault with a gun, vandalism and being

Jury selection got underway today for the trial of a 24-year-old man accused of joining his brother in a violent takeover robbery at a Banning cannabis store, where two people were stabbed and another shot. Raymond Emilio Paul Matus of Beaumont is charged with armed robbery attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and sentence-enhancing

A 20-year-old woman was arrested after Border Patrol agents found 34 pounds of cocaine hidden in her vehicle’s trunk at the Highway 86 checkpoint. The incident happened on the afternoon of March 19. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a black sedan approached the primary inspection area of the U.S. Border Patrol’s immigration

Felony charges were filed today against a 41-year-old man suspected of multiple window-smash burglaries throughout the Coachella Valley over the past two months. Charles Emmanuel Cobb of Indio was charged with one felony count each of burglary and vandalism, according to court records. He’s set to be arraigned on the charges Friday afternoon at the

A Murrieta jury today deadlocked in the retrial of a convicted felon involved in a street racing crash in Rancho Mirage that killed an 81-year-old woman, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial and setting the stage for a potential third murder trial. After deliberating only a day, jurors declared themselves unable to overcome an

A 41-year-old man suspected of multiple window-smash burglaries throughout the Coachella Valley over the last two months was behind bars today. The suspect, an Indio resident, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of 17 counts of commercial burglary, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Patrick Mushinskie. The burglaries occurred at numerous businesses throughout the Coachella

A 27-year-old man pleaded guilty today to sexually assaulting a woman in Rancho Mirage at the end of last year.    Reginald Demond Macon Jr. of Indio pleaded guilty Wednesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio to one felony count of rape by force or fear, according to court records. He is set to

Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies apprehended two people, including a possible wanted felon, after a pursuit ended near Bagdouma Park in Coachella. Deputies attempted a traffic stop at around 2:30 p.m. at Bagdad Avenue and Mecca Avenue. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, two occupants fled from the vehicle, however, deputies were able to detain