Son arrested for assaulting father, locking him out of home

A 33-year-old man was arrested Thursday on accusations of assaulting his father and locking him out of his own home in Palm Desert for several hours.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the 65-year-old victim was brought to the Palm Desert Station by a friend after his son Matthew Diaz allegedly assaulted him to the point of needing medical assistance.

The elder abuse was reported around 12:30 p.m.

Officers said they immediately recognized the man needed medical attention and he was taken to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Authorities received information that the suspect was located in the 44000 block of San Benito Circle in Palm Desert. They found Matthew Diaz and attempted to arrest him but a brief struggle took place after he refused to comply with police.

Officers eventually overpowered Diaz and he was arrested for elder abuse, assault, and resisting arrest. He was booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Palm Desert Police Department at 760-836-1600 or Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.