February 22, 2023 - Riverside, CA - Riverside County Sheriff's Department officials reported that on February 20, 2023, at 11:39 A.M., Thermal Station patrol deputies responded to the 79700 block of Highway 111 in the city of La Quinta regarding the robbery of an 87-year-old female victim. The investigation revealed the victim was sitting in her vehicle waiting for her husband to exit the store when a Romanian female approached her vehicle, opened her door, and removed her ring and necklace. There was a brief struggle during the robbery, and the victim sustained minor injuries. The victim declined medical treatment and was released at the scene. The Thermal Station Special Investigations Unit assumed the investigation.

The suspect vehicle was later located by the Murrieta Police Department in the city of Murrieta. The suspects, a 38-year-old Romanian female and a 39-year-old Romanian male, were taken into custody without incident. The Thermal Station Special Investigations Unit responded to Murrieta and took possession of the suspects. A search warrant was authored for the vehicle and served. The victim’s jewelry was located and recovered. The suspects were booked at the John Benoit Detention Center, in the city of Indio, for robbery and elder abuse.

The Thermal Station Investigations Special Investigations Unit asks anyone with additional information to contact Investigator Glasper at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station by calling (760) 863-8950.

If you wish to remain anonymous, call Valley Crimestoppers at (760) 341-7867.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant David Aldrich

File # LA230510023

Source: Riverside County Sheriff's Department