Banning Woman Arrested In Palm Desert Model Home Burglary

BANNING, CA — Investigators from the Palm Desert Sheriff's station arrested a Hemet man and a Banning woman, both believed to be part of an August residential burglary at a Palm Desert model home, officials announced over the weekend.

The Palm Desert Station’s Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team assumed the investigation and identified a vehicle and suspect, Manuel Herrera, a 49-year-old resident of Hemet, on Gerald Ford Drive in Palm Desert, according to jail records.

Grace Pollard, a 26-year-old resident of Banning, was also arrested at that time.

On Friday, at 3 p.m., the Palm Desert Special Enforcement Team located a vehicle matching the description of burglars from an August burglary in a new home development located in the 74000 block of Becker Street in the city of Palm Desert.

"Deputies conducted a vehicle check, during which they detained two subjects, later identified as Herrera and Pollard. During the investigation, deputies located multiple residential electrical circuit breakers in their possession," Sgt. James Mills said.

Deputies confirmed the items had been stolen from the housing development.

The initial burglary occurred on August 20 at 8 a.m., in response to reports of a residential burglary at a new housing development located on the 73300 block of Warhol Lane in Palm Desert, according to Mills. "Upon arrival, deputies determined one of the model homes had been burglarized."

Herrera was arrested and held without bail at the John Benoit Detention Center, awaiting numerous felony charges, including conspiracy, burglary in the second degree, grand theft, and other charges. He was expected in court at the Indio Larson Justice Center on Tuesday.

Pollard was being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on $35,000 bail. She was also awaiting a Tuesday court date to answer felony conspiracy to commit a crime, and burglary in the first degree, and other misdemeanor charges, jail records show.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Deputy Pouchoulen of the Palm Desert Station at (760)- 836-1600.