2 Arrested In String Of USPS Carrier Robberies; Latest In Palm Desert

PALM DESERT, CA — Two men were arrested this week in connection with a string of robberies and attempted robberies of U.S. postal carriers after a mail worker was threatened at gunpoint in Palm Desert, authorities said.

On Monday around 10:45 a.m., deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station were sent to Storke and Bertain drives, where they discovered that a postal carrier had been robbed at gunpoint, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The victim said an armed man had exited a car driven by another man and demanded the postal carrier's belongings, police said.

An investigation led to the arrests of Luis Alberto Gonzalez, 32, of Victorville and 28-year-old Jose Estevan Chavarria Jr. of Los Angeles, authorities said. Both have been booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on robbery charges, officials said.

Upon further investigation, officials say several additional robberies and attempted robberies of U.S. postal carriers had been reported in Cathedral City and other cities across LA County.

After arrest warrants were issued for both men, crews from the sheriff's office, the U.S. Postal Inspector's office and the county District Attorney's Gang Impact Team collaborated to find them. The Postal Inspector's office will weigh filing federal charges, officials said.

"The investigation’s success underscores the importance of interagency cooperation in ensuring public safety and holding offenders accountable," sheriff's officials said.

Anyone with information was urged to contact Deputy Granados at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at 760–836–1600.