Armed Robbery and Carjacking Suspects Apprehended
July 27, 2024 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 7:00 a.m., personnel from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Springs Police Department, District Attorney’s Gang Impact Team, and United States Marshal’s Service served arrest and residential warrants at residences located in the 2700 block of Michigan Drive, Salton Sea, 60 block of La Jolla Drive, Desert Shores, 11300 block of Ocotillo Road, Desert Hot Springs, 81800 block of Avenida Del Mar, Indio, and the 67600 block of San Jacinto, Desert Hot Springs. These warrants were the result of an extensive investigation to identify the additional suspects of the armed robbery and carjacking that occurred on June 3, 2024. The additional suspects were identified as Garrett Rivera, a 20-year-old resident of Desert Shores, and Paul Garcia Nava III, a 23-year-old resident of Desert Hot Springs. Both Rivera and Nava were booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for robbery, carjacking, and assault with a deadly weapon.
Original Details: On Monday, June 3, 2024, at 11:48 p.m., deputies assigned to the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to a report of an armed robbery that occurred in the 71000 block of Highway 111, Rancho Mirage. Upon arrival, deputies discovered two victims were assaulted and robbed at gunpoint by several suspects. One of the victims sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene. Minutes later, deputies responded to a report of a carjacking in the 73000 block of Santa Rosa Way, Palm Desert. The victim reported several males armed with firearms stole his vehicle after assaulting him. Based on the suspects’ description and vehicle, it was determined both crimes were committed by the same suspects.
During the carjacking the victim’s cell phone was left in the vehicle, deputies were able to track the phone to an address on Angela Court in Indio. As deputies arrived in the area, the victim’s vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, and a vehicle pursuit was authorized. After stopping near the intersection of Colby Way and Monroe Street in Indio, the driver fled on foot and was not located.
Deputies developed investigative leads that led to a residence in the 45000 block of Bradley Way. They located the suspect vehicle from the robbery, and the two occupants were taken into custody. During the service of a residential search warrant, an unregistered assault rifle, two handguns containing high-capacity magazines, and property belonging to the victims were located.
Vincent Caballero, a 20-year-old resident of Thermal, was arrested for carjacking, robbery, and assault with a deadly weapon. David Bustos, a 25-year-old resident of Indio, was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Caballero and Bustos were booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio.
Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Investigator Hickok at 760-836-1600.
Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Jeff Cryder
File # S241550044 / T241550112
Source & photos: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office
