The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department announced on May 7 that a suspect has been arrested in connection with multiple residential burglaries and vehicle thefts in Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert.
The arrest is significant as it follows an investigation into a series of property crimes affecting residents in the area. Law enforcement officials say the prompt response and collaboration between various teams led to the apprehension of the suspect.
According to Sergeant Jack Rutigliano, deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to a burglary report on April 28 at around 9:00 a.m. at the 70000 block of Ramon Road, Rancho Mirage. The Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team identified Angel Zaragoza, a 27-year-old resident of Desert Hot Springs, as the primary suspect. Further investigation linked Zaragoza to additional burglaries in both Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert.
On May 7 at about 11:00 a.m., with assistance from the Palm Springs Police Department Drone Unit, Zaragoza was located near East Anza Drive in Palm Springs. He was taken into custody without incident by members of several sheriff’s teams including Special Enforcement, Business District, Problem-Oriented Policing, and K9 units. A search of his residence led deputies to recover stolen property connecting him to other reported burglaries.
Zaragoza was booked into John Benoit Detention Center for multiple counts of burglary, vehicle theft, and probation violation. Authorities say this remains an ongoing investigation with no further details being released at this time.
Anyone with information about these incidents is encouraged to contact Deputy Pouchoulen at the Palm Desert Station by calling (760) 836–1600.
