A 22-year-old Coachella man stands accused in the robbery and assault of a 17-year-old in Bagdouma Park in Coachella last month, during which he allegedly demanded the teen's cellphone at gunpoint, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said.
According to Sgt. David Aldrich in a news release, the investigation revealed a Hispanic male adult with a gun confronted a 17-year-old male in the park and demanded his cellphone. When denied the phone, the suspect fired one round into the ground, at which point, the teen relented, Aldrich said.
"The juvenile was not injured during the robbery" on Jan. 12 and no one reported injury from the gunshots, Aldrich said, however, the suspect made off with the phone and remained on the loose for several weeks.
As Thermal Station Special Investigations Unit worked the case, they came up with a positive identification of the suspect as a 22-year-old resident of Coachella, according to Aldrich. "On Feb. 23, the Fugitives & Warrants Enforcement Team located Miguel Navarro, in the 50100 block of Balboa Street, in the city of Coachella," the release said. There was a short foot pursuit after Navarro fled from a vehicle, but then authorities arrested him without further incident, Aldrich said.
According to the release, Navarro was booked at John Benoit Detention Center in Indio on charges of robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, child endangerment and committing a felony while on bail.
Those with more information regarding this case are encouraged to contact Deputy Piscatella at the Thermal Sheriff's Station at 760-863-8107. Anonymous information can be reported to the Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-7867.