DESERT HOT SPRINGS (CNS) – Three boys are suspected of perpetrating a
string of carjackings and armed robberies in Desert Hot Springs that led to
gunfire in at least one holdup, authorities said today.

The suspects, identified only as teenagers between 15 and 17 years
old, were arrested and booked into Riverside Juvenile Hall Tuesday on suspicion
of carjacking, robbery, firearm assault, conspiracy and street gang activity,
according to the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.

Police said the first alleged offense occurred on the night of June 26
in the 14-300 block of Palm Drive, where a motorist said he was confronted
by a male brandishing a pistol who took his vehicle at gunpoint. The man wasn’t
injured.

About 6 p.m. Monday, another motorist was confronted in the 14-000
block of Palm by two armed males, one of whom fired a shot into the air,
culminating in the victim’s car being forcibly taken, according to police. The
victim wasn’t hurt.

Investigators said the final carjacking occurred at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday
in the 66-300 block of Two Bunch Palms Trail, where a motorist was ordered
out of his car by two armed males, who sped away in the vehicle. The victim
wasn’t injured.

Patrol officers converged on the area a short time later, looking for
the vehicle.

“At that time, officers located the stolen vehicle and noted it was
occupied by three suspects,” according to a DHSPD statement. “Upon seeing the
officers, two suspects fled on foot from the vehicle.”

One of the juveniles remained with the car and was taken into custody
without incident.

With assistance from Riverside County sheriff’s deputies, a perimeter
was established, and a search initiated for the two other teens, both of whom
were arrested without incident that afternoon, police said.

A gun was seized during a search of the suspects, investigators said.

The status of the other two stolen vehicles was not immediately known.

CNS-07-06-2022 18:06

Trio Suspected in String of Carjackings in Desert Hot Springs