Armed Carjacking 

January 22, 2025 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on January 21, 2025, at 2:30 a.m., Thermal Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to a report of an armed carjacking in the 84500 block of Calle Rojo, Coachella. The victim advised his vehicle, a Dodge Charger, had been stolen at gunpoint by three Hispanic male juveniles. The suspects pointed handguns at the victim and demanded the keys to his vehicle along with personnel items. The suspects then fled the area in the victim’s vehicle. The victim was not injured during the incident.

Deputies arrived in the area and located the stolen vehicle on Calle Techa. Two of the juvenile suspects were apprehended as they attempted to flee from the vehicle. The third suspect ran from the vehicle but was observed in the area of Avenue 52 and Douma Court. A perimeter was established, and a search was conducted, but the third suspect was not located.

With the assistance of the Riverside Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, two handguns, along with personal property belonging to the victim, were recovered. The two 16-year-old juveniles were arrested and booked into the juvenile hall in Indio for carjacking, robbery, criminal threats, and carrying a loaded firearm.

Deputies are still working to identify the third suspect involved and encourage anyone with information regarding this incident to call the Riverside Sheriff’s Thermal Station at (760) 863-8990. Information can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP (7867).

Reporting Supervisor: Lieutenant Randy Vasquez

File # Y250210003

Source: Riverside County Sheriff's Office