Crime

A former Palm Desert pawn shop manager who embezzled $165,000 from his one-time employer pleaded guilty today to felony charges and was immediately sentenced to a year’s probation and a month in jail, as well as ordered to repay all of what he stole. John Doyle Ventling, 42, admitted two counts of grand theft and

A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputy was arrested Thursday following an investigation connecting him to an outlaw motorcycle gang. The investigation into Deputy Christopher Bingham and his association with the motorcycle gang dates back to January, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced. The agency noted that during the investigation it was learned that Bingham,

Two Los Angeles area men were arrested in connection with a theft at a business in Palm Desert. Authorities announced a 47-year-old from Glendale, and a 40-year-old from Hollywood were arrested following a short pursuit related to an investigation of an earlier theft. The incident started Monday at around 5:30 p.m. Deputies were called out

A 29-year-old motorist who perpetrated a series of unexplained attacks on fellow drivers and one bicyclist throughout Palm Springs was convicted today of nearly a dozen charges. After deliberating less than a day, a Riverside jury found Juaquin Mercer Moraga of Palm Springs guilty of three counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon, two

Female inmates sexually exploited by an ex-Riverside County sheriff’s deputy responsible for supervising them on a home detention program are federally suing the county, sheriff’s administrators and others for alleged civil rights violations, it was announced today.    “Deputy (Christian) Heidecker sexually preyed upon the plaintiff(s) and took advantage of (their) vulnerabilities,” according to a

A San Bernardino man was arrested in connection with a theft earlier this month at an outlet mall in Cabazon. The suspect, a 39-year-old man, is suspected of stealing property at a business in the 48000 block of Seminole Drive in Cabazon. According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, when deputies arrived, the four suspects

The defense is expected to rest tomorrow in the trial of a 29-year-old motorist accused in a series of unexplained attacks on fellow drivers and one bicyclist throughout Palm Springs in a single afternoon, resulting in damage and minor injuries.   Juaquin Mercer Moraga of Palm Springs was arrested in June 2022 following the alleged assault

Police announced the arrest Tuesday of a second suspect in connection with robberies this past October at the Gucci Store in Palm Desert. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said an additional theft occurred at the same business on the afternoon of Feb. 12. The circumstances were also similar to the robberies back in October. Isaiah

A 24-year-old man who was thrown off a balcony after witnesses spotted him swimming naked in the pool of an apartment complex has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Tracy Marquis Rose of Palm Springs pleaded guilty March 12 to one felony count each of attempted murder, assault with a gun, vandalism and being

Jury selection got underway today for the trial of a 24-year-old man accused of joining his brother in a violent takeover robbery at a Banning cannabis store, where two people were stabbed and another shot. Raymond Emilio Paul Matus of Beaumont is charged with armed robbery attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and sentence-enhancing

A 20-year-old woman was arrested after Border Patrol agents found 34 pounds of cocaine hidden in her vehicle’s trunk at the Highway 86 checkpoint. The incident happened on the afternoon of March 19. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a black sedan approached the primary inspection area of the U.S. Border Patrol’s immigration