Police say La Quinta Verizon robbery was inside job

After investigating an armed robbery that occurred at a Verizon Wireless store in La Quinta on January 28, police determined a store employee played a role in the crime, which totaled close to $55,000 in stolen iPhones, according to the La Quinta Police Department.

The robbery occurred at the store located in the 78000 block of Highway 111 around 8 p.m.

According to a release from the La Quinta Police Department, the investigation quickly focused on Rogelio Arenas, a 28-year-old Palm Desert man who worked at the store. Arenas allegedly helped 32-year-old Lucas Miller of Hemet commit the robbery.

As the investigation continued, 49 stolen iPhones were recovered by the Gang Task Force. When the robbery was first reported, police said the suspect demanded money as well, but it’s unclear how much money was taken from the store.

Both Arenas and Miller were arrested at about 5 p.m. Monday. They were booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio. Arenas is facing charges of conspiracy and armed robbery, and Miller was booked for armed robbery.