'Sophisticated Criminal Groups' Targeting This Riverside County Area

PALM DESERT, CA — If you are planning a visit to the Coachella Valley, there is a crime warning in place.

"A variety of sophisticated criminal groups [are] victimizing the public" in the Coachella Valley, the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station warned Thursday.

The area has experienced a recent uptick in certain crimes and the department cautioned people to be "extra diligent for their safety."

Many of the criminals are foreign nationals believed to be associated with organized crime and are potentially dangerous, according to the station.

Some of the recent incidents include crimes associated with suspects approaching victims in parking lots and attempting to engage them in conversations about their jewelry and other valuables. The cons can result in theft, the station said.

Other scams involve telling unsuspecting members of the public that their money is not secure and they should hand over large sums of cash for safekeeping. The incidents can involve suspects identifying themselves as law enforcement.

"Law enforcement will never approach anyone and ask for money," the station said.

In some cases, victims have been robbed at gunpoint, according to the station.

For members of the public advertising personal items for sale, the station advised meeting potential buyers in a well-populated area, like a store parking lot or even a sheriff’s station parking lot. The Palm Desert Sheriff's Station is located at 73705 Gerald Ford Drive. For a list of all sheriff's stations countywide, click here.

If you suspect that you've been a victim of a crime or see something suspicious, contact the sheriff's Coachella Valley Dispatch Center at 760-836-3215; call 911 in an emergency.