Desert Hot Springs trio charged with kidnapping, carjacking, & robbery
Felony charges were filed today against a woman and two men accused in the armed carjacking of a motorist in Desert Hot Springs.
Christian Salas, 25, Stephanie Dierkes, 25, and Johnny Artis, 32, all of Desert Hot Springs, face kidnapping, carjacking and robbery charges, along with sentence-enhancing allegations of committing the crime for the benefit of a criminal street gang and use of a gun.
The carjacking occurred around 5 a.m. last Thursday in the 66800 block of Ironwood Drive. The suspects took the victim’s vehicle and “other valuables,” but the man was otherwise uninjured, Sgt. Christopher Saucier said.
Police 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.
Salas, Dierkes and an unidentified 17- year-old boy were arrested Thursday, while Artis was spotted by officers Friday jumping over a wall of a home near the scene of the carjacking, Saucier 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.
All three defendants were expected to make their initial court appearances this afternoon in Indio.
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