Rash of Five Robberies Hits Palm Desert Area This Weekend

The Palm Desert area was hit by a series of robberies this weekend, with five armed hold-ups happening within in just two days, according to police reports.

According to separate press releases sent out by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the Palm Desert and La Quinta area was subject to robberies at the following times:

• November 9 at 3:28 p.m., on El Dorado Drive near Hovley Lane East, Palm Desert
• November 9 at 9:10 p.m., in the 74000 Block of Hwy 111 near Portola Road, Palm Desert
• November 10 at 7:56 p.m., in the 54000 Block of Avenida Rubio, La Quinta
• November 10 at 8:30 p.m.,  near the intersection of Venice Drive and San Marino Court, La Quinta
• November 10 at 11:50 p.m., in the 51000 block Avenida Bermudas, La Quinta

The first two cases in Palm Desert both happened Friday night, by someone driving a dark truck and by someone in a Jeep Cherokee with paper plates, according to police reports.  However, it's still not clear if they were committed by the same person.

Police are saying that the next to incidents, on Saturday at 7:56 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. are likely connected to each other.

"Both robberies appeared to have been committed by the same suspect," sheriff's Sergeant Juan Zamora said.

The first one, at 7:56 p.m., allegedly happened when someone in a white SUV approached two women and took their purses at gunpoint.

"The suspect brandished a handgun at the victims and demanded their purses," Zamora said.  "The suspect then re-entered his vehicle and left the area northbound on Avenida Rubio. The victims were not physically hurt."

In the next incident, at 8:30 p.m., a man who was getting his mail from a community mailbox on Venice Drive and San Marino Court was held up by a similarily described suspect, Zamora said.

"The suspect took the victim's wallet and fled in a white sport utility vehicle," he said.  "The victim was not hurt during the robbery."

In both of the latter cases, the suspect was described as a "a Hispanic male adult in his late 20's to early 30's with short hair and wearing dark clothing," according to the sergeant.

The final incident from this weekend also happened Saturday in La Quinta.

In that case, two men are suspected of a home invasion robbery in the La Quinta Cove, in the 51000 block Avenida Bermudas, according to Sheriff's Sergeant Adam Elders.

They allegedly knocked on a person's door, and then barged inside once  opened.

"The victim opened the door which allowed the suspects to force their way inside while brandishing a handgun," Elders said.  "The suspects ordered the victim to the ground as they took property from the location."

Those two men were described as Hispanic males, approximately 5'-08" tall, medium build, wearing dark clothing.  A vehicle description wasn't provided.

If you think you have any information that can help police solve these crimes, call Valley Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-STOP.