New York Man Stalks, Threatens 'High-Profile' Billionaire: Police

PALM SPRINGS, CA — An East Coast man who allegedly threatened a high-profile billionaire and also abducted two children in an unrelated case remained jailed Tuesday morning following an investigation by the Palm Springs Police Department.

John Gerard Short, 64, of Massapequa, New York, is facing felony charges of conspiracy, making terrorist threats, child stealing and stalking, according to authorities. He's being held without bail in a Riverside County jail.

According to the Palm Springs Police Department, Short is linked to two incidents under investigation by the agency.

The first incident involved Short targeting "a high-profile billionaire who is a known donor to Democratic causes," the agency said.

Between March 23 and March 26, Short allegedly made "specific and credible threats to harm the victim, directly contacting them with these threats. This led to an investigation into criminal threats and stalking," according to the police department.

The billionaire's name was not released.

In the second, unrelated incident that occurred on March 25 in the city, Short and an unidentified parent were involved in a parking dispute. During the altercation, Short allegedly got into the victim's vehicle.

"Critically, two of the victim’s children were inside the vehicle at the time," according to Palm Springs police.

Short "moved" the vehicle within the parking lot, police said.

"This action, moving children without parental consent, even for a short distance, prompted a child abduction investigation ...," according to police.

After identifying Short as the suspect in both cases, Palm Springs Police Department investigators launched a search for him. With help from the Fresno Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service, Short was tracked down in Fresno, Calif., and extradited on March 31 back to Riverside County by Riverside County sheriff's deputies.

"Political violence has no place in our society," Palm Springs Police Chief Andrew Mills said. "Community safety is paramount to the Palm Springs Police Department, and we treat all acts of violence and threats with the utmost seriousness."

Palm Springs police are continuing their investigation into Short. Anyone with further information is asked to contact the police department at 760-327-1441.