On July 15, 2025, deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station responded to a residential burglary on Portola Avenue in Palm Desert. The victim reported an unknown male entered her residence after knocking on her door. Deputies found and identified the suspect as Ryan Wood, a 52-year-old resident of Palm Desert.
The Palm Desert Sheriff's Station Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team (RBST) took over the investigation due to similar incidents in the area. They discovered that Wood was responsible for additional "cat" burglaries while residents were home.
Later that evening, RBST, with help from the City of Palm Desert Business District Team, executed a search warrant at Wood's residence. They found items linked to narcotics sales including suspected cocaine, several hundred vials of growth hormone, and two unregistered firearms. Wood was arrested and booked into John Benoit Detention Center on charges related to burglary, firearms, and narcotics.
Cat burglaries pose significant risks due to potential dangerous encounters between homeowners and suspects. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office advises locking doors and windows even when at home for safety.
For information regarding this incident, contact Deputy Sanchez at the Palm Desert Station at (760) 836-1600. For media inquiries or career opportunities with the office visit joinrso.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD.