The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department announced on May 1 that two suspects have been arrested in connection with a robbery that occurred in Thousand Palms. The incident took place on March 19, when deputies responded to a report of an assault and theft in the 72000 block of Varner Road.
The case is significant as it involved violence against the victim and required coordination between multiple law enforcement teams. After speaking with the victim, who reported being assaulted and robbed, investigators from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station Robbery and Burglary Suppression Team (RBST) identified Deandre Gilliam, age 24, and Kelvin Hampton, age 25—both residents of Houston, Texas—as suspects.
According to Sergeant Jack Rutigliano, RBST located Gilliam and Hampton on April 30 near South Western Avenue in Gardena. With help from the Riverside County Gang Impact Team and the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, officers served a search warrant at that location. Both men were taken into custody without incident.
Gilliam and Hampton were booked into the John Benoit Detention Center for charges including robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, as well as multiple outstanding arrest warrants. The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities say no additional details will be released at this time.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Deputy Pouchoulen at the Palm Desert Station by calling (760) 836-1600. For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
