RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENTSheriff Chad Bianco |
| Press Release: | Drug Dealer and Gang Member Arrested
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| Station Area: | Palm Desert |
| Written Date: | January 10, 2021 | Time: | 12:25 AM |
| Incident Date: | January 9, 2021 | Time: | 4:30 PM |
| Incident Location: | 74000 block of Frank Sinatra Drive in the city of Palm Desert
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| Reporting Officer: | Sgt. Paul Heredia
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| File Number(s): | GE210090001
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Details:
On Saturday, January 9, 2021, at 4:30 P.M. the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force (CVVCGTF) conducted a parole compliance check at a hotel located in the 74000 block of Frank Sinatra Drive in Palm Desert. Upon arrival, Gang Task Force Officers found the hotel room where the parolee was staying to be unoccupied. Gang Task Force Officers searched the grounds of the hotel and located parolee and documented criminal street gang member, Adrian Mondragon, 24 of Coachella, attempting to hide from Officers in the rear parking lot. Gang Task Force Officers ordered Mondragon to stop at which time he ran from Officers. Mondragon was apprehended by Gang Task Force Officers a short distance away after he was observed throwing a bag containing oxycodone pills as he attempted to flee. A female who was observed attempting to hide with Mondragon was also detained. She was identified as Noelle Markowitz, 25 of La Quinta. Further investigation revealed Markowitz hid a bag containing a loaded 9mm handgun, several hundred oxycodone pills and cash in the bushes near the rear of the hotel. Gang Task Force Officers obtained a search warrant for the hotel room where both subjects were staying and subsequently located cocaine and methamphetamine in the room.
Gang Task Force Officers arrested Mondragon for Possession of Narcotics for Sales, Violation of Parole and an Outstanding Arrest Warrant for Possession of Narcotics for Sales. Markowitz was arrested for Possession of Narcotics for Sales, Possession of a Loaded Firearm with Narcotics, Possession of a Firearm with Altered Serial Number, and 5 Outstanding Misdemeanor Arrest Warrants. Both Mondragon and Markowitz were subsequently booked at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio.
The Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force (CVVCGTF) is committed to creating safe and secure neighborhoods free of violent crime and gang activity. If you have any information about this crime, please contact CVVCGTF member Officer James at (760) 836-1600. If you have non-emergency information regarding gang activity, please use our online Gang Task Force Tip Form or call 951-922-7601.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
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| Adrian Mondragon | Noelle Markowitz |
