Suspicious man arrested after lurking near Cathedral City apartments

“It kind of makes me nervous and scared since someone is lurking,” said 9-year-old Joel Escobedo who lives with his parents at Ocotillo Place Apartments in Cathedral City.

Like many people living at at the complex, Escobedo and his mom, Ann Herrera, were on edge after getting a letter from the property manager Tuesday.

It warns of a suspicious person roaming near the back of their complex, describing him as a Hispanic man in his mid-30s with a tattoo of lips on his neck, and tattoos of a joker clown and Chucky doll on his arms.

The letter says to call police immediately if he’s seen.

“It’s kind of scary, especially being a mom at home with a 9-year-old at night alone, it terrifies me,” Herrera said.

Even scarier, they said, was seeing a helicopter hovering over their home Wednesday morning.

Property managers denied our request for an interview, but said a resident spotted the man near the pool area and notified Cathedral City Police. They said the man did not live in the apartments.

“I hope they catch him and take him to jail,” Escobedo said.

Hours later, police did just that. Our cameras were rolling as police arrested the suspect behind the Burlington Coat Factory on Date Palm and Gerald Ford Wednesday afternoon.

Authorities say he was wanted for possession of stolen property.

Now Joel and his mom are waiting for another letter, letting them know their home is safe.

“I’ve been here for three months and I felt safe until I got that letter,” Herrera said. “I’m hoping they would give out another notice to let us know what’s going on.”