Suspect arrested for allegedly assaulting a FLOCK contractor, camera
PALM DESERT (KESQ) – A Palm Desert man was arrested Monday after allegedly assaulting a contractor who was working to replace a vandalized license plate reader camera and threatening him with a knife, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident was reported at about 10:25 a.m. on August 24 near Monterey Avenue and Fred Waring Drive in Palm Desert.
Deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon. Investigators said the victim was a contractor hired by Flock Safety to replace a license plate reader camera for the city of Palm Desert that had previously been vandalized.
According to the sheriff’s office, the suspect approached the contractor while he was working on the camera, slashed all four tires of the contractor’s utility vehicle, damaged the newly installed camera and threatened to stab him.
Deputies with the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station Robbery Burglary Suppression Team and Business District Team took over the investigation and identified a 31-year-old Palm Desert resident as the suspect.
Investigators later located the suspect’s vehicle near Palm Desert Drive and San Marcos Avenue. Deputies conducted a traffic stop and took the suspect into custody without incident.
A search warrant was subsequently served at the suspect’s residence in the 73000 block of San Nicholas Avenue. Investigators said they found evidence related to the alleged assault as well as evidence of additional vandalism involving Flock Safety cameras.
During the search, deputies also reportedly discovered multiple sexually intrusive videos depicting teenage girls recorded in both public and private spaces.
The suspect was booked into the John J. Benoit Detention Center on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and multiple counts of felony vandalism.
The man is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, Aug 27th.
The investigation remains ongoing. Deputies are working to identify individuals who may have been recorded in the videos.
Anyone who believes they may have encountered the suspect or may have been recorded by him is encouraged to contact investigators with the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at (760) 836-1600.
Anyone with additional information about the assault or vandalism investigation is also asked to contact the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at the same number.
RSO Sgt. Robert Martinez told News Channel 3 that there has been no uptick or trends seen so far in vandalism incidents, but the cases have been generally spread out countywide.
“There are reports of damage and vandalism to the Flock cameras. We have not seen any sort of increase or anything like that recently. Those numbers have pretty much stayed consistent for the past year,” Martinez said. “There’s been about 51 cameras that have been damaged. Of those 51, there were about 38 of those that were vandalized. The other ones that the damage can come from traffic collisions, like you said, a rock flying by when a vehicle goes by, or something of that nature.”
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office reminded residents that intentionally damaging, destroying or tampering with Flock Safety cameras can result in felony charges and arrest.
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