Crime & Safety
UPDATE: One Arrested in Palm Desert Carjacking
A man has been arrested after hijacked car crashes in Indio last night. Search for second suspect continues
This story updated at 7:55 a.m.
An Indio man is in jail following a carjacking in Palm Desert on Thursday.
At about 4:45 p.m. a woman was walking to her car in the parking lot at Ralphs, 74884 Country Club in Palm Desert, when she was approached from behind by two men. One brandished a handgun and demanded the victim's car keys. The men then fled in the victim's car.
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Indio police spotted the car about two hours later at Towne Street and Civic Center Drive. Following a very brief chase, the vehicle crashed into a light pole at Oasis and Bliss. One occupant was arrested. That person is identified as George Pineda, 18, of Indio.
Pineda is in Indio jail on $150,000 bail, charged with carjacking and grand theft.
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The vehicle's second occupant remains at large.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Investigator Jessica Vanderhoof by calling the Palm Desert Station at 760-836-1600 or by calling Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP.
Tips can remain anonymous and may lead to a cash reward.
