Four suspects arrested in connection with Desert Hot Springs carjacking
Four people who allegedly carjacked a motorist at gunpoint, then tried to flee from arresting officers, were in custody today.
Christian Salas, 25, Stephanie Dierkes, 25, and an unidentified 17-year-old boy, all of Desert Hot Springs, were arrested Thursday on suspicion of carjacking, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit a crime, Sgt. Christopher Saucier said.
A fourth suspect, Johnny Artis, 32, of Desert Hot Springs, was arrested Friday when officers spotted him jumping over a wall of a home near the scene of the carjacking, police said. He allegedly ran from officers, jumping over walls in the neighborhood before he was taken into custody in the 13600 block of Mark Drive on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, carjacking, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit a crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Police said the suspects robbed a man at gunpoint at around 5 a.m. Thursday in the 66800 block of Ironwood Drive. The suspects took his vehicle and “other valuables,” but the man was otherwise uninjured, Saucier said.
Police later tracked down “several people of interest” at a nearby residence, Saucier said.
When officers approached the home, “several occupants attempted to flee on foot, but were detained,” leading investigators to serve search warrants at several locations, make arrests and seize firearms, the sergeant said.
The investigation into the carjacking was conducted by Desert Hot Springs police, as well as the Post-Release Accountability Team and Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force.
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