A reputed gang member accused of stealing a vehicle and other items in an armed robbery in Palm Desert was taken into custody Thursday after a nearly three-month investigation, authorities said.
Eddie Garcia, 43, of Desert Hot Springs was arrested Thursday afternoon in Palm Springs and booked at the Indio jail on suspicion of armed robbery, being a felon and gang member in possession of a firearm, vehicle theft and for possessing stolen property, according to Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. Christopher Ternes.
The robbery was reported on April 12 in the 4000 block of Harris Lane. The sheriff’s department did not provide additional information about the crime beyond the fact Garcia was identified as a suspect.
According to Ternes, personnel with the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force conducted a probation compliance check at Garcia’s home in the 3200 block of E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, “where numerous items belonging to the victim were located,” he said.
A gun and ammunition were also discovered at the property. Two other men who were allegedly accomplices in the robbery were also taken into custody. Their names were not released.
Bail and arraignment information was not immediately available.