Two men from Los Angeles, believed to be a part of an organized robbery crew that stole high-valued jewelry and designer products with an estimated value of $500,000, are in custody, officials announced Tuesday.
In a news release by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, authorities say 39-year-old Anthony Pena-Gomez and 40-year-old Carlos Riquelme-Montecinos targeted neighborhoods in Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage in July 2024, gaining access to the residential properties by breaking glass doors and windows.
“The suspects are believed to be associated with an organized burglary group out of the Los Angeles area that commits burglaries nationwide,” the release stated.
On Aug. 27, members of the Riverside Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau, along with members of the Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage special enforcement teams and the Palm Desert Burglary Suppression Team, served a search warrant in the 400 block of Cottage Home Street in L.A.’s Elysian Park neighborhood.
Both suspects were arrested, and a search of the residence recovered a handgun stolen out of Burbank, jewelry from residential burglaries in Rancho Mirage and Fullerton, burglary tools, fake identification and multiple cell phones.
Pena-Gomez and Riquelme-Montecinos were booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for burglary and are being held on $500,000 bail.
Authorities say the investigation into the two men is ongoing and anyone with any information is urged to contact Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Kendall Martinez with the Indian Wells Special Enforcement Team at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at 760-836-1625.