Pair arrested for mail theft & vehicle burglaries spanning several months
Deputies arrested two men accused of a series of mail theft and vehicle burglaries throughout the span of several months.
Richard Otis, 30, of Palm Desert and Christian Nevarez, 35, of Indio were arrested on Tuesday by the Palm Desert Police Department. The pair were identified as the suspects by the La Quinta Special Enforcement Team and Palm Desert Special Enforcement Team, RSO wrote in a news release.
According to RSO, Otis and Nevarez committed the mail thefts, then used the victim’s identities to purchase items from local businesses. A search warrant at Otis’ residence revealed 50 victims were identified after investigators found their personal identity information. It’s estimated $10,000.00 of stolen property was recovered from Otis’ residence.
Investigators then served a search warrant at Nevarez’s residence, where an additional 30 victims were identified by their personal information.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the thefts occurred in the areas covered by Palm Desert and Thermal Sheriff Stations. This includes the western half of the Coachella Valley’s unincorporated areas and the East Valley communities.
Otis and Nevarez have been booked into the Riverside County jail in Indio. Otis was released today on $30,000 bail, however, Nevarez remains in custody on the same amount, according to jail records.
Nevarez is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, while Otis is scheduled for September 17.
The La Quinta Special Enforcement Team is asking anyone with additional information to contact Deputy McGuire at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station by calling (760)-863-8990. The Palm Desert Special Team is asking anyone with additional information to contact Deputy Smith at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station by calling (760)-836-1600.
