Banning, Beaumont Men Arrested After Seen Swiping E-Scooters: Police

BANNING, CA —A Banning resident and Beaumont transient were placed under arrest this week on suspicion of swiping two electric scooters from a Rancho Mirage business. Both are behind bars on Wednesday, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department says. The Beaumont Police Department assisted in the arrest.

Christian Bailey Melendrez, 27, of Beaumont and Patrick Cody Pettigrew, 47, of Banning were booked into the Benoit Detention Center in Indio on suspicion of grand theft, petty theft with priors and conspiracy to commit crime, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Both suspects were held without bail.

Deputies responded at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 to the 40000 block of Monterey Avenue regarding a report of grand theft, according to the sheriff's department. They learned that two e-scooters were stolen from the front of the business, Sgt. Jeff Cryder said.

Surveillance footage led the authorities to identify the two suspects. According to Cryder, Beaumont police officers found Melendrez and detained him without incident on Monday.

A search warrant was served at a residence in the 5100 block of West Hoffer Street in Banning the following day, where authorities arrested Pettigrew without incident.

Anyone with additional information about the crime was urged to contact 760-836-1600.