Crime Wave Hits El Paseo Shopping District

Police are investigating a series of burglaries, and at least one violent robbery, along exclusive El Paseo in Palm Desert.

The latest burglary happened at the clothing store Escada early Monday morning, said Lt. Andrew Shouse with the Palm Desert Police Department.

According to Shouse, several designer purses were taken.

Nearly a dozen crimes have been reported in the area since the beginning of the year.

Police said thieves used large landscaping rocks to break into Palm Desert Tobacco, The Slack Shoppe and several other stores.

Someone also broke into Sun Optics Saturday night.

According to the owner, Gary Deeb, a thief crawled through a tiny window that sits about 15 feet above the ground and got inside the store using a rope.

A security guard on duty across the street spotted the thief and called police.

“We were blessed because of the security that occurs across the street actually spills over into our building here,” Debb said. “There are other stores along this avenue that have been broken-into that don’t have the luxury of security driving around on a 24-hour basis.”

Other store owners in the area are concerned.

Jenn Gustafson manages Diane’s clothing, a business that sits next to two sites of burglaries.

“We have certain steps that we take every night before we close and we have an alarm system that has the motion sensors. Basically everything you could think of beside from actually having a guard here,” said Gustafson.

Police are also investigating a series of attacks over the past month.

On Feb. 6, a thief stole a woman’s purse near the Daily Grill restaurant.

A disabled man was also beaten with a hammer and carjacked near the restaurant last week.

Officers released a sketch of the suspect hoping to catch him, but so far, he remains at large.

Police added extra patrols who will meet with business owners.

They’re also planning a crime prevention class in April 20 at the Palm Desert City Council chamber starting at 8 a.m.

If you have any information on any of these crimes, call Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP.

You can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a $1,000 reward.