Homeless Man Faces Arraignment On Wednesday In Palm Springs Bike Theft

Arraignment is expected Wednesday for a homeless man accused of punching an employee at a Palm Springs store and making off with a bicycle on display.

Christopher Monti was arrested at 12:32 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of Tahquitz Canyon Way and North Palm Canyon Drive with the bicycle he allegedly stole from the Wil Stiles clothing store at 875 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs police Sgt. Mike Kovaleff said.

The 39-year-old transient allegedly walked out of the shop with the bicycle and was approached by a store employee.

“The employee informed the suspect that he could not `test ride’ the bicycle,” Kovaleff said. “The suspect subsequently punched the employee’s face with a clenched fist and rode off on the bicycle without the store’s permission and without paying for the bicycle.”

Police saw Monti at the intersection with the bike and took him into custody.

Monti was booked at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on suspicion of strong-arm robbery, with bail set at $25,000, pending arraignment Wednesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.