2 Arrested For Scores Of Coachella Valley Mail Thefts, Burglaries

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA -- Two men accused of scores of thefts across the Coachella Valley have been arrested, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said Wednesday.

Deputies investigating an increase in mail thefts and vehicle burglaries across the valley over the last several months identified two suspects -- 30-year-old Richard Otis of Palm Desert and 35-year-old Christian Nevarez of Indio, according to sheriff's Sgt. David Aldrich.

Investigators believe Otis and Nevarez were committing the thefts and using their victims' identities to make fraudulent purchases from local businesses, Aldrich said.

The sheriff's department on Tuesday served search warrants at the two men's homes, where deputies discovered about $10,000 worth of allegedly stolen property and found identifying information for an additional 70 theft victims, the sergeant said.

Both men were booked at the Indio jail, with bail set at $30,000. Otis posted bail the same day, but as of Wednesday, Nevarez remained in custody, according to jail records.

Nevarez is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, while Otis's court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 17.

City News Service contributed to this report.