Suspect Arrested for Assaulting a Flock Contractor
August 26, 2026 – Riverside County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on August 24, 2026, at 10:25 a.m., deputies from 
the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station were dispatched to the report of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 73000 block of Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. Upon arrival, deputies learned that the victim was a contractor hired by Flock Safety to replace a license plate reader camera for the city of Palm Desert that had been previously vandalized. The victim reported that while working on the camera, he was approached by the suspect, who slashed all four tires on his utility vehicle, damaged the new ALPR camera, and threatened to stab him.
Deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station Robbery Burglary Suppression Team and Business District Team assumed the investigation and identified the suspect as Nathan Ceballos, a 31-year-old resident of Palm Desert. Deputies located Ceballos’ vehicle in the area of Palm Desert Drive and San Marcos Avenue and conducted a vehicle stop, during which he was taken into custody without incident.
Deputies served a search warrant at Ceballos’ residence located in the 73000 block of San Nicholas Avenue. During the investigation, deputies located evidence of the assault and evidence of additional vandalism to Flock Safety cameras. Deputies also located multiple sexually intrusive videos of teenage girls recorded in public and private spaces.
Cabellos was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, and multiple counts of felony vandalism. This is an ongoing investigation, and no additional details are available. Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Deputy Jake Paull of the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station by calling (760) 836-1600.
Deputies are working to identify the victims captured in the videos. The Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station encourages anyone who encountered or may have been video recorded by Ceballos to contact Investigator Katheryn Evans of the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station by calling (760) 836-1600.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office encourages our communities to report suspicious activity. Vandalizing or damaging Flock cameras is a serious crime. Those who intentionally damage, destroy, or tamper with Flock cameras may face felony charges and arrest.
Reporting Supervisor: Sergeant Steven Nelson
File # T262360042
Source & photo: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office
