Desert Man Arrested In Connection With Series Of Commercial Burglaries

PALM DESERT, CA — A man was arrested on Friday in connection with a series of burglaries at several businesses in Rancho Mirage throughout October, authorities said.

Kenneth Cook, 48, of Thousand Palms is accused of stealing $2,000, electronics and safes from multiple businesses, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said.

After the Rancho Mirage Special Enforcement Team determined Cook was a suspect, officers pulled him over while he was driving a stolen vehicle in the area of Ramon Road and Thousand Palms Canyon Road in Thousand Palms on Friday, police said.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies found burglary tools and additional items connecting him to the burglaries reported in Rancho Mirage, police said.

Authorities also connected cook to a string of commercial burglaries being investigated by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office.

Cook was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for multiple counts of burglary and theft of a vehicle.

His bail was enhanced to $500,00.

No other details were available.

Anyone with information about the burglaries was urged to call Deputy Jacob Paull at 760-393-3220.