Category: kesq-local-news

Jesus Reyes

Update 5/19/25

Two minors were identified as the suspects behind the anti-Semitic graffiti that occurred on the morning of May 4 in the 45000 block of Deep Canyon Road, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office announced.

“Following the release of surveillance photographs to the public, investigators received multiple credible tips that led to the identification of two male juveniles. Due to the suspects being minors, their names will not be released. Vandalism charges will be filed with the Riverside County Probation Department,” reads an RSO news release.

Investigators continue to search for the suspect who committed anti-Semitic vandalism on April 30 on El Paseo in Palm Desert.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Investigator Grasso at 760-836-1600, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch non-emergency number at 951-776-1099, or submit an anonymous tip through Riverside County Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867

Original Report 5/7/25

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office released photos of suspects believed to be behind a series of anti-Semitic graffiti in Palm Desert.

The first graffiti incident report happened last Wednesday just before 10 p.m. on the 73000 block of El Paseo.

“The caller reported drawings of swastikas on a store window. Deputies arrived and reviewed surveillance video where an unidentified male adult was seen drawing the swastika on the window with a marker,” reads an RSO news release.

The second incident was reported on Sunday, May 4 at around 7:40 a.m. in the 45000 block of Deep Canyon Road.

“Upon arrival, deputies found an electrical box spray-painted with swastikas and anti-Semitic graffiti. Additional anti-Semitic graffiti was located at several locations within the same general area,” RSO wrote in a news release

The Palm Desert Station Investigations Bureau assumed the investigation and obtained video surveillance footage of two unidentified male suspects.

The Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspects in both cases.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Investigator Grasso at 760–836–1600, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch non-emergency number at 951–776–1099, or submit an anonymous tip through Riverside County Crime Stoppers.

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Shay Lawson

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (KESQ)  – For adults in their 40s and 50s, mental health professionals say life can feel like a juggling act—caring for young children while also tending to aging parents.

Experts call this group the “sandwich generation,” and they say the emotional toll of multigenerational caregiving is rising.

According to Pew Research Center, more than half of Americans in their 40s are part of this caregiving group. Nearly a quarter of adults are providing financial support to both an elderly parent and a child.

“It’s a lot of extra stressors all at once,” said Dr. Evita Limon-Rocha, child adolescent and adult Psychiatrist with Kaiser Permanente.

She said for example, people in this generation might be managing young kids with illnesses from school while also trying to keep parents on track with their medications and appointments.

Dr. Limon-Rocha also said she’s noticed an increase in this phenomenon among her patients.

“I see families all the time that are juggling,” she said.

To help ease the pressure, Dr. Limon-Rocha recommends caregivers prioritize self-care, seek help from family or professional resources and stay connected socially.

“I always encourage my family members and caregivers just kindness toward self,” she said.

As life expectancy increases, and families continue to share responsibilities across generations, experts said supporting sandwich caregivers is more important than ever—for their health and the well-being of those they care for.

Stay with News Channel 3 at 10 and 11 p.m. for the full report.

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City News Service

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Jury deliberations began today in the trial of a man accused of gunning down a Cathedral City convenience store owner during a botched robbery, while testimony continued in the separate trial of his alleged co-conspirator.

Charles Lamar Campbell of Beaumont and Joel Ortiz Hidalgo of Desert Hot Springs, both 23, allegedly joined in the 2021 slaying of 61-year-old Chris Sgouromitis of Cathedral City.

Charles Lamar Campbell (Left) and Joel Ortiz Hidalgo (Right)

Both men are charged with first-degree murder, attempted robbery and a special circumstance allegation of killing in the course of a robbery. Campbell is additionally charged with sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.

Two juries — one for each defendant — were convened to hear the matter, and after almost three weeks, testimony concluded in Campbell’s trial Tuesday. On Wednesday, the prosecution and defense delivered closing arguments at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, where Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling sent jurors behind closed doors to begin weighing evidence. They deliberated briefly, then broke for the day, slated to return Thursday morning.

Testimony in Hidalgo’s trial is expected to wrap up Thursday or Friday.  

Each man was being held without bail at the Benoit Detention Center.    According to a trial brief filed by the District Attorney’s Office, on the night of Feb. 21, 2021, Campbell and Hidalgo were driving around the Coachella Valley in the latter’s Acura sedan, seeking to purchase a “plug” of marijuana. When a transaction fell through in Palm Springs, the men headed into Cathedral City, where Campbell directed Hidalgo onto Shifting Sands Trail and, ultimately, the Outpost Market at the intersection of Shifting Sands and Ramon Road, according to court papers.

While Hidalgo sat behind the wheel of his car, Campbell entered the convenience store, long owned and operated by Sgouromitis and his family, prosecutors said.

Although no one else was in the outlet, security surveillance video cameras inside were operating, capturing almost all of the ensuing encounter between the victim and defendant, according to the brief.

“The victim had the cash register open and appeared to be counting or organizing cash in the register as Campbell walked in … holding a semiautomatic handgun,” the narrative stated.

There were words between the men, which the video cameras did not record. The images, however, revealed Campbell allegedly raising the pistol, holding it with both hands and aiming it at the victim. The defendant fired a shot while backing toward the double doors, striking Sgouromitis in the left hip, prosecutors alleged.   

When the store owner tried to run away from the counter, Campbell allegedly fired two more shots, hitting the victim in the chest and lower back, according to the brief.

The gunfire evidently frightened Hidalgo, who sped away from the location as Campbell exited the store, the prosecution said. Campbell was forced to flee on foot through residences lining Shifting Sands, and during his getaway, he accidentally fired his 9mm pistol into a yard, where the homeowner was watching, according to court papers.   

Sgouromitis’ brother, who had been resting in a room at the back of the store when the shots rang out, initiated CPR on his sibling until Cathedral City Police Department officers arrived and took over, followed by paramedics moments later. However, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was a beloved member of the community, and CCPD released a statement within a few days of his murder, saying he was a “father of four with strong local ties, who was not involved in criminal activity and died in his longtime place of business.”

Hidalgo’s Acura was soon identified as the vehicle that had parked outside the convenience store, and the license plate was confirmed via Flock law enforcement camera recordings in Palm Springs, leading to his being tracked down and detained for questioning less than a week later.

The defendant provided details regarding what allegedly had transpired, insisting that he was only giving Campbell a ride to get some marijuana and had no foreknowledge of the planned robbery, according to the brief. He was formally arrested at the police station.

Campbell was located staying in a Beaumont motel, where detectives went to serve an arrest warrant, listening through the door as he conversed via speaker phone with his mother, allegedly telling her, “The driver was arrested, and all he has to do is give me up,” according to the prosecution.  

Officers ordered him out of the room, at which point the defendant was taken into custody without incident.   

Neither man has documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.

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Jesus Reyes

BANNING, Calif. (KESQ) – A Cabazon man was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a child, the Banning Police Department announced this week.

Andrew Chavez, 32, was arrested on April 8 at the Las Encinas Mental Hospital in Del Mar, according to jail records. He has been charged with 8 counts of child sex abuse.

Police were first notified of the sexual abuse on the night of March 30 at a home in the city of Banning, authorities said. Police say Chavez was known to the family. Detectives learned the abuse had been occurring over a period of approximately two months before it was reported.

“Banning Police Detectives immediately assumed the investigation and gathered evidence linking Chavez to multiple crimes involving the sexual abuse of a minor. Shortly after the victim disclosed the abuse, Chavez was located at a mental health facility in Pasadena, CA,” reads a Banning PD news release.

Chavez remains in custody on $1 million at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning. He is scheduled to be arraigned in court on Friday, according to court records.

“We commend the bravery of the victim and those who came forward in this case and want to reassure the community that the safety of our most vulnerable residents remains a top priority,” Banning PD wrote.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact the Banning Police Department Detective Bureau at (951) 922-3170.

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Allie Anthony

May is Stroke Awareness Month. 2 million brain cells die every minute a stroke goes untreated.

Time is critical — and one major risk factor often goes unnoticed: Atrial Fibrillation (Afib).

Afib is a common heart condition, especially in people over 65. It causes the heart to beat irregularly, which can lead to blood pooling in the heart. This increases the risk of a clot forming — and if that clot travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke. In fact, Afib increases your risk of stroke by five times.

Afib is becoming more common as our population ages. Studies show that about 1 in 3 white adults and 1 in 5 Black adults will develop Afib during their lifetime.

Symptoms of Afib can include: heart palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness and chest pain. 

One-third of people with Afib experience no symptoms at all — making regular check-ups with your doctor essential as you age.

However, there are effective treatments involving blood thinners and the Watchman device, which doesn’t correct the heartbeat itself but helps prevent blood clots from forming in the heart — lowering the risk of stroke.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more expert insights on recognizing, treating, and living with Afib. Your awareness could save a life — maybe even your own.

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Tori King

Local heroes were honored in Palm Springs on Wednesday. The 3rd Annual Police Officers’ Association Awards and Community Appreciation Social took place from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Rooftop Flannery Exchange at 750 N Palm Canyon Drive.

News Channel Three’s Tori King spent the afternoon at the Palm Springs Police Department speaking with Officer Michael Torres, who received the award for Sergeant of the Year. Torres says been with the PSPD for several years, and now it’s become a place and a community he now calls his home.”I’ve never been to a place where I literally can go anywhere in the city, and I’m getting waves, smiles, and thank you’s for what I do,” said Torres. Torres says receiving the award is beyond meaningful.

“I’m very honored,” said Torres. “I’ve been fortunate to get some awards throughout my career, but this is one is truly near and dear to my heart.” What makes this award so unique, is that it was voted upon by his peers.

“The best part about all of this is the camaraderie and teamwork and that atmosphere where you guys are working together,” said Torres. “They watch you do your thing, do your work, do whatever it is that you do, and to be acknowledged for that, for doing what you really love while taking care about the community, it’s unbelievable.”From solving cases to responding to emergency calls, Torres says he’s thankful for his fellow officers who are there even on the bad days. But he says he owes this award to his parents and his mentor.

“I owe my parents everything, and I had a good year,” said Torres. “I was very fortunate to have the people that I work with on a daily basis, including Lieutenant Villegas, who’s always been a mentor of mine, and he’s helped me throughout this process and really been a big piece of me growing as a supervisor and as a person as well.”News Channel Three also spoke with Lieutenant Mike Villegas, who says Torres has been a critical member of the PSPD family.

“Michael Torres, you know, he’s very special,” said Villegas. “He brings a lot to the table. He’s very passionate, and his work ethic second to none. But he has really changed the culture coming here.”Villegas also says Torres earned this award through years of hard work, dedication, and determination.”He’s constantly working, whether it’s working to make his troops better, whether it’s working to build relationships within the community, or constantly striving to be better himself,” said Villegas. “He’s truly a special man and I’m very happy for him. He more than deserves it.”

Torres also says he’s grateful to the entire department, and that he looks forward to working alongside Chief Andy Mills and Lieutenant Villegas in the years to come.”It means the world to me that they see the little things that I was trying to bring to the table,” said Torres. “The little intangibles. Those are the kind of things that really matter in the scheme of things.”For more information on the awards, or the Palm Springs Police Officers Association click here.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A woman drowned in a home in Palm Springs Wednesday morning, authorities confirmed.

The drowning was reported at around 11 a.m. on the 1600 block of Dunham Road.

Police told News Channel 3 that the fire department responded to the call and confirmed a female had drowned.

PSPD Officers are responding to assist with the investigation, police added.

Stay with News Channel 3 as we continue to learn more details.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – A maintenance worker is dead after a fall in a vault Wednesday morning at a country club in Palm Desert.

The incident was first reported as a “confined space rescue” at around 10:20 a.m. at the Marriott’s Desert Springs Villas in the 1000 block of Pinehurst Lane, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

CAL FIRE wrote on social media that a person had fallen into a 20ft. manhole. A CAL FIRE spokesperson told News Channel 3 that the person was a maintenance worker who was working in a vault.

Details were limited but the officials said the patient fell. Air monitoring registered hydrogen sulfide gas, which required rescue crews to use special equipment for the operation, CAL FIRE said.

The cause of the person’s death is being investigated by the coroner’s office. CAL OSHA is also en route to investigate the incident.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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Luis Avila

THERMAL, Calif. (KESQ) – Some parents questioning the safety of their children after authorities say two staff members at Desert Mirage High School were transported to the hospital Tuesday after being exposed to a substance.

“It was pretty scary because even when I went to pick him up after school, the ambulance was still there and the fire department and we didn’t know what was going on.”

Loretta Perez, parent

But Dr. Frances Esparza says the district is responding accordingly, taking immediate action to prevent another from happening. The district holding a meeting Wednesday, going over the protocols for handling drugs and alcohol, with resources like narcan at the ready on all campuses.

Karina Vega, district support counselor, say the district has been equipping all campuses to better handle drug related issues and expanding drug prevention education.

“We have Latino Commission substance abuse prevention specialists on all middle school and high school campuses to teach them how to cope with stress and anxiety… We had the District Attorney come and talk to parents about fentanyl and the dangers around it. We also had training for all our wellness centers, therapists on campus, and all of our substance abuse counselors.” 

Karina Vega, district support counselor

But Perez says it’s not enough, calling on the district to conduct searches.

“I think not only with drugs but safety in general. I think there has been a breaking point… especially with how easily it can be brought into school right now.”

Loretta Vega, parent

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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City News Service

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – People traveling out of Palm Springs International Airport or any other airfield today should likely anticipate some delays at security checkpoints as the long-awaited Real ID requirement goes into effect.

Starting Wednesday, Transportation Security Administration officers will require passengers to present a Real ID or other acceptable form of identification to board a flight. The requirement was initially approved in 2005 as part of the response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, but its implementation has been repeatedly delayed from the original 2008 deadline.   

Officials at the Palm Springs International Airport said Wednesday that so far, the rollout is going smoothly at PSP. There have been no delays at the checkpoint.

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To determine if a California driver’s license is Real ID-compliant, travelers are advised to look for a golden bear with a star in the top right corner. Those who aren’t sure can check with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Other acceptable forms of identification include U.S. and foreign passports and passport cards, Department of Defense identification — including those issued to dependents — a permanent resident card, border crossing card, or photo ID from a federally recognized Tribal Nation, among others.

A full list can be found at tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.

Once enforcement begins, passengers who do not present Real ID or another TSA-acceptable form of identification “can expect to face delays, additional screening, and the possibility of not being allowed into the security checkpoint,” the airport statement said.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, speaking at a congressional hearing Tuesday, said the agency is hoping for a smooth transition to the Real ID requirement.

“What will happen tomorrow is folks will come through the line and… show (their ID) and if it’s not compliant they may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step. But people will be allowed to fly,” she said. “… We will make sure that it is as seamless as possible and that travelers will get to stay on their intended itinerary.”  

For people who still need to obtain a Real ID, 18 state Department of Motor Vehicle offices will open one hour early, four days a week through June 7 to serve appointment-only customers seeking the federally mandated cards.   

That includes the Rancho Cucamonga office at 8629 Hellman Ave., which will open at 7 a.m. instead of 8 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and devote the early hour exclusively to patrons with Real ID appointments.

On Wednesdays the hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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