Crimeblotter

Desert Hot Spring Police Department

On Saturday, Dec. 15 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., a patron of the Megumi Nail Salon was the victim of grand theft in the 12400 block of Palm Drive during the 2012 Desert Hot Springs Christmas Parade. The victim was robbed of three rings valued at $10,000 – one 18-carat gold wedding band; one carat diamond ring (her mother’s heirloom ) and a one carat emerald and diamond ring, the victim’s engagement ring.

An officer of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department questioned the staff and patrons at Megumi’s Nail Salon about the robbery but they had no details except to say that a woman, aged 70, was seated at the victim’s salon chair afterwards. The staff denies any involvement with the theft but could not identify the suspect even though she had paid for services with a gift certificate.

Anyone with information about this grand theft robbery is asked to contact DHS Police Department at 760-329-6411 ext. 343. A $500 reward is offered.

Cathedral City Police Department

On Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 11:20 a.m., Cathedral City Police received a call indicating that a bad incident had been discovered at a family residence in the 69600 block of Northhampton Avenue. Officers discovered three deceased adults in two separate bedrooms of the house. At this early stage of the investigation, it appears that the incident was a double homicide-suicide. A mother and her adult daughter were found shot to death in bed in one of the bedrooms, and the mother’s male partner, described as her common-law-husband, was found dead in bed in another bedroom of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A handgun was recovered at the scene, as well as an apparent written confession by the suspect. The names of the deceased are being withheld until the next of kin are notified.

While this investigation is still underway, preliminary motive for this incident appears to be a result of a financial conflict, resulting from the mother’s recently diagnosed terminal illness, and her end of life arrangements. The mother’s adult daughter was visiting from Florida to assist with putting her mother’s affairs in order, and it appears there was some conflict with her common-law husband over how her assets were to be divided. This is an extremely sad, senseless and tragic event for the entire family involved.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Lieutenant Charles Robinson of the Cathedral City Police Department at 760-770-0394.

Cathedral City Police Department

On Sunday, Dec. 16 at approximately 5:25 a.m., CCPD officers were dispatched to a report of an armed robbery with a knife in the area of the 67500 block of Ramon Rd at the 7-11 store. The suspects were described as two black, adult, males wearing “hoodies” and “black jeans.” The suspects threatened the clerk with a knife and stole store’s scratcher lottery tickets. They fled the scene in a vehicle.

Approximately 10:50 p.m., the Riverside County Sheriff’s office (RSO-Cabazon station), initiated a traffic enforcement stop on a 1992 Honda Accord, for several vehicle code violations.

The car was occupied by two subjects. RSO located the stolen lottery tickets in the car. The subjects were detained until CCPD officers arrived and took custody of the two subjects. The knife and the clothing were also located. The surveillance video of the suspects matched the description of the subjects in the Honda.

Arrested were Daron Ellis Hill, 19, of Indio and arrested-Christopher Simon Hernandez, 19, of Palm Springs, CA. Hernandez has numerous arrests for burglaries, assaults, weapons, and other crimes. Hernandez was currently on probation stemming from an armed robbery in August of 2012.

The arrestees physical and vehicle description also match the description of two suspects who robbed another convenience store in Palm Desert, CA in November of 2012.

If anyone has any information regarding these incidents please call the Cathedral City Police Department at (760) 770-0303. At the time of this report this investigation is ongoing.

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