Alleged Armed Robber, Getaway Driver Arrested in Palm Springs

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Two men suspected of participating in an armed robbery in Palm Springs were arrested Monday.

Authorities said the victim was grabbing items from his vehicle when a man with a handgun approached him and demanded he give up various personal belongings Monday morning at a hotel parking lot in the 1200 block of East Palm Canyon Drive.

The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Oscar Munguia-Ramirez of Thousand Palms, then fired a bullet at the ground and grabbed the victim's items before jumping into a getaway car and taking off, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.

Police said the suspects shot several rounds from their vehicle when they noticed the victim following them.

When officers attempted to pull over the suspects, Munguia-Ramirez allegedly fled on foot into Sunrise Park before being arrested.

The alleged driver of the getaway car, Willard Giron, 21, of Thousand Palms, was also arrested.

Police said they found a loaded 10mm Glock handgun in a nearby public swimming pool that had been discarded by Munguia-Ramirez as he fled on foot into the park.

Munguia-Ramirez is a convicted felon and was booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on suspicion of several crimes including robbery, negligent discharge of a firearm and assault with a deadly weapon.

Giron, also a felon on felony probation, was booked on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy and violation of probation, officials said.

—City News Service