Palm Springs hotel homicide suspect arrested
Palm Springs Police announced the arrest of a hotel murder suspect Monday morning.
Rogelio Cruz Maciel, 36, of Palm Desert was taken into custody after a search warrant was served on San Nicholas Ave. in Palm Desert Sunday. Authorities initially detained Maciel as a person of interest believed to be connected to a homicide that occurred at the Musicland Hotel in Palm Springs.
A police statement said Maciel had been on Post Release Community Supervision (AB 109) for being a felon in possession of ammunition.
On Saturday around noon, Palm Springs police officers were called to the Musicland Hotel after the occupants of a room failed to check out on time. After investigating, officers found a deceased male in the hotel room bathtub. An initial investigation revealed the death was a homicide.
According to family members that spoke with KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 News, the victim was identified as Jason Banks, although this has yet to be confirmed by police. The family has set up a gofundme page to help pay for funeral expenses.
Detectives followed several leads which led them to San Nicholas Ave. in Palm Desert on Sunday, where the suspected home was searched. Maciel was arrested with the assistance of the Desert Regional SWAT Team at about 4:45 p.m Sunday.
The department’s release on Monday said many details remained unknown to investigators but details would be released as the investigation permits.
The relationship between the victim and Maciel was also unknown as was the motive for the homicide.
Police said they believed there was no danger to the public.
Investigators are in search of further leads and witnesses. The department asks for anyone with information to contact The Palm Springs Police Department at 760-778-8411 or you can provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.
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