April 13, 2023 - Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on April 11, 2023, at about 6:27 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a report of a carjacking in the 34000 block of Monterey Avenue in Palm Desert. The victim, a 21-year-old resident of Coachella, placed an ad on Facebook Messenger to sell his vehicle. He was contacted on Facebook Messenger by a juvenile who arranged to meet at the above location. Two juvenile suspects met with the victim and demanded his keys. When the victim refused, both suspects produced firearms. One suspect struck the victim several times, threatened to kill him, and again demanded his keys. The suspects fled in the victim's vehicle but quickly abandoned it near the 74000 block of Jeri Lane in the city of Palm Desert. The suspects left that location on foot but were arrested near Gerald Ford Dr and Shepard Ln. Two firearms were later recovered near the area where the vehicle was abandoned.

Both suspects were also identified as being involved in another carjacking that occurred in the City of La Quinta on April 11, 2023, at about 12:37 am (LA231010001). The victim suffered moderate injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital. Both juveniles, age 16, were booked into juvenile hall for carjacking, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, and illegally possessing firearms. Due to the suspects' ages, their names will not be released.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Deputy James at the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station by calling 760-836-1600. Anyone with information regarding the La Quinta investigation is encouraged to contact Investigator Glasper at the Thermal Sheriff Station by calling 760-863-8950.

Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Josh Button

File # T231010069

Source: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office