Suspected burglars arrested in Palm Springs
Palm Springs Police were asking for the public to help in locating the driver of a large SUV used in an early Tuesday morning break-in. Three other suspects were taken into custody accused of burglarizing an unoccupied residence.
Officers were called to the 500 block of Burton Way at 12:54 a.m. Tuesday morning to reports of a burglary in progress. Thieves allegedly stole a refrigerator and loaded it onto a utility trailer before driving away with no headlights on.
Officers say the driver and a passenger jumped out of the vehicle two minutes after they located and started following a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban and trailer traveling northbound on Farrell Drive.
The driver then turned west onto Tachevah Drive and stopped abruptly on North Calle De Pinos, south of East El Alameda.
Two passengers in the rear were taken into custody without incident.
Officers said they found ammunition and a handgun replica in the driver’s compartment along with property believed to be stolen from the Burton Way home.
A search for one of the other two suspects ended at 1:24 a.m. when an officer saw a suspect enter an enclosed patio area along East Tamarisk Road and North Calle de Floro Vista.
A police dog helped take that person, identified as a front seat passenger, into custody.
He was taken to a hospital and treated for injuries he suffered during his arrest.
Officers continued searching for the driver with help from A CHP helicopter and a Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Deputy and his Bloodhound.
That effort was ended at 4:15 a.m.
The driver remains outstanding and was described as a black man with shoulder length dreadlocks, last seen wearing a white t-shirt, approximately 25 to 30 years old, 6′ tall and approximately 220 pounds.
Police said the names, ages, and arrest charges for the suspects will be released at a later time as thie investigation continues.
Call the Palm Springs Police Department at 760-323-8116 or Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP (7867) if you have any information.
Stay with KESQ News Channel 3 / CBS Local 2 News for updates.
