Suspect Arrested For Shooting Teen During Bermuda Dunes Robbery

INDIO (CNS) – A Coachella man suspected of shooting a 17-year-old boy during a robbery in Bermuda Dunes was being held without bail today. Raymond Angel Vargas was arrested and booked into the Benoit Detention Center in Indio Saturday on suspicion of attempted murder, robbery and illegal possession of a loaded firearm. According to Riverside County sheriff’s Sgt. David Aldrich, the alleged attack happened on the night of Feb. 10 in the 79-700 block of Avenue 42, just west of Bermuda Dunes Airport. Aldrich alleged that about 9 p.m., Vargas met the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, on the pretext of purchasing items that the teenager had advertised for sale via social media. During the encounter, Vargas allegedly pulled a handgun and shot the teen "multiple times," then fled the scene with his property, according to the sergeant. Witnesses called 911, and deputies and paramedics reached the area a short time later. Aldrich said that the victim was taken to a Coachella Valley hospital, where he underwent surgery and is now in recovery. Detectives developed leads in the ensuing days pointing to Vargas as the alleged assailant, and a search warrant was served in the predawn hours Saturday at his residence where he was taken into custody without incident, according to Aldrich. Copyright 2022, City News Service, Inc. CNS-02-21-2022 13:56