Gang members accused of attacking victims in Palm Springs

Two gang members from Yucca Valley have been arrested on suspicion of assaulting and stabbing victims in Palm Springs, which officers believe was an unprovoked attack meant for intimidation purposes.

Officers with the Palm Springs Police Department said the incident happened on March 19 at about 2:30 a.m. at the Pilot Travel Center, located at 6605 N. Indian Canyon Drive.

Officers found one victim lying inside the travel center after being stabbed in the torso. The victim was being helped out by friends.

The investigation revealed the victims were getting gas and as they walked toward the store, a group of three to four men approached them, began yelling and then attacked them.

The two suspects, 30-year-old Rodney Paul Finister and 23-year-old Terrell Edwin Small, were arrested on Wednesday, April 6 with the help of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, according to the P.S.P.D.

They were taken into custody after authorities served search warrants in Yucca Valley.

The stabbing victim sustained moderate injuries and another victim was punched multiple times in the face, officers said. Authorities discovered the victims knew the suspects from Yucca Valley.

Finister and Small were both booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on $70,000 bail.

Finister is facing felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon and for his gang affiliation. Small is facing felony charges of battery causing serious injury and for his gang affiliation. He was also charged with petty theft under $950 and driving on a suspended license.

Both suspects are due at the Larson Justice Center in Indio on April 8.