Public Safety
After Gardener Was Robbed, Officers Pay for New Tools and Lawnmower
Officers were stepping up to help buy a gardener new tools after his truck was stolen, along with his rent money, cellphone, and equipment, making what could have been a heartbreaking story one of goodwill.
Adrian Salgado had started his first gardening job of the day at a gated community in the area of Bristol Street and Memory Lane Wednesday morning.
https://media.nbclosangeles.com/images/621*349/gardener-theft-suspects-032719-1.jpg
The suspects, later identified as Alan Babauta, 22, and Caroline Nguyen, 31, by Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna, were accused of stealing Salgado’s truck, along with $1,000 of his rent money.
Salgado said it takes about three months of work to earn that much, as he works a couple days a week.
His daughter called the police when he arrived home, and started tracking her father’s cellphone in the “Find My iPhone” app.
“I felt bad for him because that’s hard work,” his daughter, Diana Reyes, said.
Santa Ana police were able to ultimately track the two suspects down in Garden Grove, finding them with $500 each in their pockets.
By then, all the tools were gone.
Because the suspects claimed the money belonged to them, the police had to enter the cash as evidence, meaning Salgado wouldn’t be getting it back.
They returned the truck to Salgado, but when asked how he would make ends meet, he said he didn’t know.
That’s when officers, Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, and Home Depot all stepped up.
Santa Ana officers donated $500, the officers’ union donated $500, and Home Depot donated $100 so Salgado could take a shopping spree, and buy new equipment.
“They don’t have to do this but they’re doing it our of the kindness of their hearts,” the victim’s daughter, Lizbeth, said.
Because some of the officers are miltary members, they got a discount on the lawnmower, weedwacker, and other tools.
When asked if he had any words for the accused thieves, Salgado said, “God help them.”
By: NBC Palm Springs
March 27, 2019
Latest Instagram Posts
Pregame update from Tim O’Brien ahead of tonight’s preseason matchup between the Coachella Valley Firebirds and the Ontario Reign. Tim has the latest from Acrisure Arena as the Firebirds get set for tonight’s game. UPDATE: Firebirds #CVFirebirds #CoachellaValleyFirebirds #OntarioReign #AHL #Hockey PalmSprings CoachellaValley
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Xzavier Hernandez with the dot towards the back of the endzone, 2) Jesse Rodriguez with the 50 plus yard TD throw, 3) Trace Vargas with the diving TD, 4) Ryan Rumsey with the screen pass TD, making guys miss, or 5) Moyses Aguilar with the pick #fyp #fnl2026 #hondaofthedesert #highschoolfootball #fridaynightlights
Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇 #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings
⚡️ TOP STORY: A man is recovering after he was struck by lightning. Firefighters battled a brush fire along Snow Creek Road, while another lightning strike in Chino Canyon sent a man to the hospital. If you hear thunder, stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last rumble. #PalmSprings #Lightning #FireSafety
🚨 Chasing that year-round “summer glow”? A social media tanning trend involving the unapproved peptide melanotan-2 is raising serious safety concerns. Dermatologists say safer sunless tanning options are available. ☀️ #YourHealthToday #SkinHealth #Melanotan2 #TanningSafety
Palm Springs firefighters responded Thursday to a report of a person struck by lightning in the Chino Canyon area. The person was transported to a hospital for medical treatment. Firefighters also responded to a palm tree fire in Chino Canyon that officials say was caused by an apparent lightning strike. NBC Palm Springs News Director David Reese is in the neighborhood tonight knocking on doors and trying to learn more about what happened. Did you see the lightning strike? Did you hear or see anything unusual? Do you know who was struck or have information that could help us understand what happened? We’d like to hear from you. Send us a DM here or contact NBC Palm Springs if you witnessed the incident or have information to share. #PalmSprings #ChinoCanyon #Lightning #PalmSpringsNews #NBCPalmSprings CoachellaValley BreakingNews
Fred Roggin’s response? Show us the receipts! #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings
A $557k budget shortfall … so why do they need $11.3 million in new taxes? Are you voting Yes or No on Measure P? #therogginreport #measurep #localnews #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings
School board trustee wears “FAFO” shirt to court deposition. Drop your thoughts in the comments 👇🏽 #therogginreport #coachellavalley #localnews #explore #nbcpalmsprings
Estevan Figueroa of King’s Club Barbershop is giving back across the Coachella Valley — one haircut at a time. He and his team recently gave dozens of free haircuts to kids at the Boys and Girls Club in Cathedral City. Figueroa also provides clothing, essentials and encouragement to people in need. Inspired by lessons from his father, he’s now started a nonprofit to help even more people in the community. “Look good, feel good.” @barbercipactli Read the full story at NBCPalmSprings.com.