Suspects Arrested for Organized Retail Theft 

July 11, 2026 – Riverside County Sheriff's Office officials report that on June 17, 2026, members of the Thermal Sheriff’s Station La Quinta Business District Team began an investigation into a grand theft that occurred at a business located at 78000 block of Highway 111. During the course of the investigation, deputies learned the same suspects had also stolen from businesses in Indio, Palm Springs, La Quinta, Palm Desert, and Beaumont, resulting in a total loss of about $16,000 in merchandise. The suspects were identified as Geradin Gonzalez Morales, a 33-year-old resident of Van Nuys, and Johana Catalina Vargas Rodriguez, a 32-year-old resident of North Hollywood.

On Thursday, July 9, 2026, deputies were advised that the suspects had returned to the La Quinta business. Both suspects were taken into custody without incident. The business reported that the suspects have stolen more than $70,000 in merchandise from stores throughout Southern California.

Morales and Rodriguez were booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for burglary and organized retail theft.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional details are available. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact Corporal Molina or Deputy Ebersole of the Thermal Station’s La Quinta Business District Team at (760) 863-8990.

Reporting Supervisor: Corporal Esteban Molina

File # LA261900024

Source: Riverside County Sheriff's Office