Palm Desert, CA– Officers from the Palm Desert Police Department investigated three robberies occurring from March 19, 2012 to March 21, 2012. The first robbery occurred on March 19, 2012, in the 42000 block of Hastings Street. The second robbery occurred on March 21, 2012, in the 74100 block of Fairway Drive. The third robbery occurred on March 21, 2012, in the 46000 block of Verba Santa. All three robberies occurred at residences.

The investigation revealed an armed, masked suspect walked up to open garages and approached the victims as they were inside their garage. The suspect was in possession of a handgun, pointed it at the victims and demanded their wallets, and cell phones. The suspect then fled the area on foot. The Palm Desert Station Investigations Bureau, Palm Desert Station Burglary Suppression Unit, and the Palm Desert Station Special Enforcement Teams completed follow-up on the cases.

During the investigation several credit cards belonging to one victim were used at several businesses within the Coachella Valley. Officers completed follow-up and identified three of the suspects who were using the stolen credit cards.

John Paul Munoz	Juan Reyes	George Blackstone

On March 23, 2012, officers served two search warrants regarding this investigation. The search warrants were conducted at residences located in the 33200 block, and 32700 block of Sky Blue Water Trail, in Cathedral City. Arrested at one location was John Paul Munoz, age 38 of Cathedral City, for burglary, conspiracy, credit card fraud, committing a felony while out on bail, and a probation violation.

The second suspect identified as Juan Reyes, age 37 of Desert Hot Springs, was arrested during a traffic stop near Palm Drive and Buena Vista in Desert Hot Springs. Reyes was arrested for burglary, conspiracy, credit card fraud, and a probation violation. The third suspect identified as George Blackstone, age 32 of Indio, was later arrested at the Palm Desert Station. Blackstone was arrested for burglary, conspiracy, credit card fraud, and a probation violation. The investigation is continuing and additional suspects are being sought.

On Monday, March 26, 2012, at 6:45 a.m., deputies and investigators from the Thermal Station responded to an armed robbery that just occurred in the 79000 block of Starlight Lane in Bermuda Dunes. Investigation revealed a male adult approached the victim as he stood inside his garage, brandished a handgun, and demanded money. The suspect fled the scene with an unknown amount of cash and property. The victim was not injured.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic or white male adult, 20-25 years-old, 5′-9″ tall, with a medium build. He was wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, white t-shirt, and faded blue or gray pants.

This incident appears related to a string of recent robberies in the Palm Desert and Indio areas where victims were confronted by armed suspects in open garages. The Sheriff’s Department is urging all residents to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings even when inside an open garage. Residents are also urged to call the Sheriff’s Department to report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods.

Officers from the Palm Desert Police Department investigated three robberies occurring from March 19, 2012 to March 21, 2012. The first robbery occurred on March 19, 2012, in the 42000 block of Hastings Street. The second robbery occurred on March 21, 2012, in the 74100 block of Fairway Drive. The third robbery occurred on March 21, 2012, in the 46000 block of Verba Santa. All three robberies occurred at residences.

The investigation revealed an armed, masked suspect walked up to open garages and approached the victims as they were inside their garage. The suspect was in possession of a handgun, pointed it at the victims and demanded their wallets, and cell phones. The suspect then fled the area on foot. The Palm Desert Station Investigations Bureau, Palm Desert Station Burglary Suppression Unit, and the Palm Desert Station Special Enforcement Teams completed follow-up on the cases.

On March 23, 2012, officers served two search warrants regarding this investigation and arrested three suspects. Officers continued the investigation into the robberies, the latest of which occurred on March 26, 2012 inside the Bermuda Dunes Country Club. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Department’s Thermal Station, investigated that robbery and worked with officers from Palm Desert, identifying an additional possible suspect in the robberies.

On March 26, 2012 at about 6:43 PM, at the 83000 block of Artemisa in the city of Indio, deputies and Investigators from the Palm Desert Station, Thermal Station and the Palm Desert Burglary Suppression Team, were conducting a surveillance of the possible suspect. Officers attempted to contact the person near the area of Golf Center Parkway and Ave. 43 in the city of Indio, the adult male fled on foot. A perimeter was quickly set up. A helicopter from the California Highway Patrol and the Indio Police Department assisted with the perimeter. After an intensive search, the adult male was located in a backyard of a residence on Artemisia and a handgun was recovered.

The suspect, Daniel Leos Jr., 31 years old of Indio, was arrested for several counts of armed robbery and additional charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and was booked into the Indio Jail.

Anyone with information can call the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department-Palm Desert Station at 760 836-1600 or Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-Stop (7867).

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department-Palm Desert Station would like to remind all citizens to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity, including any vehicles or persons to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department-Palm Desert Station by calling 911, or calling our dispatch center at (760) 836-3215.

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