DATE/TIME: December 6, 2022 / 10:08 a.m.
INCIDENT: Missing Person Investigation
LOCATION: Quail Springs Road and Pueblo Trail, Joshua Tree
SUSPECT(S): N/A
VICTIM(S): Melissa Dopson, 32-year-old, Female Resident of Morongo Valley
SUMMARY: On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, deputies assigned to the Morongo Basin Station took a report for a missing woman from Morongo Valley, identified as Melissa Dopson. Dopson was last seen in the Joshua Tree National Park the day prior.
Deputies discovered her vehicle, which appeared to have been involved in a single vehicle traffic collision, near Quail Springs Road and Pueblo Trail, in Joshua Tree. The traffic collision was unreported to law enforcement and deputies started a search and rescue operation for Dopson.
A Sheriff’s Aviation unit, Sheriff’s Search and Rescue members, Corona Police Department officers, and canine teams from the Sheriff’s Department and Riverside Police Department assisted in the search for Dopson. Several hours later, Dopson was located in the area with minor injuries and transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Morongo Basin Station at (760)-366-4175. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME(27463) or leave information at www.wetip.com
Refer: Deputies A. Stumbo / O. Puertas
Station: Morongo Basin Station
Phone No. 760-366-4175
Case No. 092202006
