Author: Julio Luna

The Cathedral City Police Department has organized a “Gun Buyback Program” for December 2018.  The Cathedral City Gun Buyback Program will reward the voluntary surrender of firearms, while engaging our community towards a common goal of reducing gun violence. It is an anonymous process in which individuals can surrender their weapons, no questions asked.

On Wednesday 12/19/18 at 0624 hours, Cathedral City Police officers were dispatched to the area of Date Palm Drive and Gerald Ford regarding a male subject on the ground.  Officers responded to the area 200 feet east of the intersection on Gerald Ford, in a dirt lot near the Oasis RV park (36100 Date Palm Drive) where they located a deceased male at the location.  A citizen reported locating the deceased male and called 911.  Cathedral City Police Detectives and the Riverside County Coroner’s Office responded to the location.  At this time, the case has been determined to be a suicide and the investigation is being completed by the Riverside County Coroner’s Office.  The deceased is a 60- year old male from the State of Idaho.  Police presence in the area and disruption to traffic has been minimal at this time – there are no road closures or detours.  Please refer any other inquiries to the Riverside County Coroner’s Office. 

United States Postal Inspectors served an arrest warrant at 69831 Sunny Lane.  They were assisted by the Cathedral City Police Department in the service of the warrant.  The above listed subject is suspected of assaulting a US Postal worker and stealing a package from the worker, which occurred in the City of Desert Hot Springs.  During the warrant service at 0630 hours today, evidence of a marijuana honey-oil extraction-lab was located inside the residence.  This included clandestine lab equipment and marijuana plants.  Finished product was located inside the residence, along with several weapons, State of California non-compliant, high-capacity magazines and a large amount of ammunition.   Victorero was renting the residence along with his girlfriend (unidentified) who was not arrested. Vitorero was taken into custody for the arrest warrant and charged with 18 U.S. Code 111.  Other Federal Law Enforcement Agencies responded to the scene to participate in and complete the illegal lab operation investigation, which is continuing at this time.

On Tuesday, December 11th 2018, A Cathedral City Police detective was traveling in the area of the 32500 Blk. of Shifting Sands Trail in Cathedral City. He observed a female adult run to the front door area of a residence where packages had just been delivered. The female grabbed two boxes from the front door and ran to an awaiting vehicle. The female entered the vehicle and the driver fled from the scene. The suspects apparently did not know their crime was witnessed by a police detective and the detective directed uniformed police officers to the vehicle, which was stopped by patrol officers. Patrol officers watched as the female passenger tried to discard narcotics out of the window of the car, again thinking she would not be seen. Both the driver and the female theft suspect were identified by the police detective and both were placed under arrest. The stolen packages were located inside the vehicle and the ownership of the packages was confirmed; the packages were returned to the owner/victim.