The following information has been provided by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department:

On Wednesday April 30th, at about 4:00 p.m. officers from the Palm Desert Special Enforcement Team located a truck load of cacti and plants in the 73-000 block of Santa Rosa in Palm Desert. The plants appeared to have been recently stolen and are valued at several thousand dollars.

Over the past several months, the City of Palm Desert has experienced several thefts of expensive plants, including numerous cacti. These plants are regularly used to beautify public access areas in the city, including parks and street medians.

The Palm Desert Police have been using innovative ways to combat these thefts, including the use video surveillance, throughout the city.  A problem regularly experienced is in the identification of these plants, so they can be returned to their rightful owners. The Police Department has been working with city staff regarding installing microchips and photographing city owned plants, to assist in the identification process when they are stolen.

The Palm Desert Police would like to remind all citizens to report any suspicious activity immediately. City staff does not work during the evening hours and are off on weekends, so anyone seen removing plants during these times may be in the process of stealing them. If any crime or suspicious activity is observed, don’t hesitate to call 911, or (760) 836-3215, to report the incident.