Palm Springs storefront rampage suspect pleads ‘not guilty’ to charges
A 30-year-old man was accused of driving his vehicle through multiple Palm Springs businesses Friday night - including Sunny Days and Destination PSP.
In a press release, PSPD says the incident first happened around 10:17 p.m. on Friday. Officers say they responded to calls of a maroon SUV trying to ram into the 'Forever Marilyn' statue on Museum Way.
The man reportedly wasn't able to reach the statue, because his SUV was stopped by the barricades. Investigators said the man then drove down N. Palm Canyon Drive and along a walkway between several businesses in the area. According to PSPD:
"Upon reaching the end of the walkway, the vehicle collided with the rear window of a business. The driver attempted to turn the vehicle around, causing extensive damage to the interior of another business. After returning to Palm Canyon Drive, the vehicle collided with a car parked along the curb. The driver then pushed the parked car out of the way and fled the scene."
Gustavo Araiza, Palm Springs Police Department
Video posted to the Palm Springs Police Department Facebook Page shows the SUV ramming another car in an attempt to escape.
Officers said they later located the SUV a few blocks away, along the 300 block of S. Palm Canyon Drive; the SUV had reportedly crashed into another vehicle. The driver is suspected of driving under the influence.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Jose De La Cruz Uzaga Reyes, 30, was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center Friday on suspicion of four counts of vandalism, driving under the influence of drugs, and a hit-and-run causing property damage.
Uzaga's arraignment took place this Thursday morning at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. The suspect pled not guilty to all charges. He is set to return to court for a final status conference on June 27th.
