FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: Cathedral City Police (760) 770-0300
Issuing Employee: Commander Paul Herrera – 760-770-0308 – pherrera@cathedralcity.gov
Type of Case: Elder Abuse Investigation / #1904C-1157
Date/Time Reported: March 6, 2019 / 1809 hrs.
Location of Occurrence: 200 Blk. Ave. Andora Cathedral City, CA
VICTIM INFORMATION:
Name: Not for release (confidential)
Age: 73
City of Residence: Cathedral City, CA
ARRESTEE INFORMATION:
Name: Lawrence Truman Ward Jr.
Age: 44
City of Residence: Cathedral City, CA
On April 5, 2019, at approximately 1809 hrs. Cathedral City Police officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of Avenida Andora to investigate a felony assault on an elderly male. During the investigation, CCPD officers learned that a 44-year-old adult-male caretaker physically assaulted an elderly male and took property from him. Officers started their investigation and leaned the victim was a wheelchair-bound and oxygen-dependent 73-year old male and the suspect was related to the victim. The victim was assaulted by his relative/caretaker who struck him with fists and a belt. The relative threatened to kill him, and then took a credit card from him. During the police investigation, Cathedral City Fire Dept. Paramedics arrived and treated the victim for his injuries. He was transported to a local hospital where he was admitted with multiple injuries. Cathedral City Police officers continued their investigation and tracked the suspect to a location in the City of Cypress in Orange County, CA. Officers from the Cypress Police Department assisted with the investigation and identified the suspect at a motel in their city. Cathedral City police officers responded to the City of Cypress with a search warrant for his vehicle / motel room, arrested the suspect and served the warrant with the assistance of Cypress PD. The suspect was transported back to Cathedral City for an interview, then eventually booked at the Riverside County Jail, Banning for the following charges:
368(b)(2)PC: Felony elder abuse on victim over 70 years old.
245(a)(1) PC: Assault with a deadly weapon.
368(e) PC: Opening credit card in adult’s name w/out permission
422(a)PC: Threats to terrorize against victim
211 PC: Robbery
The suspect is also being held on an enhanced bail of $1,000,000.00 (one million dollars). No further info is available at this time. A photo is attached.
End of media release.