Photo: Angel Ponce
Originally published as a Palm Springs Police Department Facebook post –
The Palm Springs Police Department began monitoring news media and social media reports on 03/03/2021 regarding a person who was dining at restaurants in downtown Palm Springs then leaving without paying, commonly referred to as “Dine and Dash.” Many of these incidents went unreported and may have begun as early as 02/01/2021.
On 03/07/2021 at about 5:30 pm, PSPD received a call from a restaurant in the 400 Block of E. Tahquitz Canyon Drive advising the person believed to be involved in the “Dine and Dash” incidents was at the location and failed to pay for their meal before leaving.
Officers arrived to the area and located Angel Ponce (06-30-1990, male resident of Palm Springs). Ponce was identified as the person who left the restaurant without paying and was arrested for PC 537 (Defrauding and Innkeeper). If Ponce was involved in the related media reports, additional charges could be filed at a later date.
The Palm Springs Police Department encourages anyone who is the victim of a theft, to report it to your local police department. Often times, these incidents go unreported which makes investigating crime patterns more complicated.
If you or your business have been a victim of theft, please contact the Palm Springs Police Department Non-Emergency line at 760-327-1441. Theft reports occurring in the city of Palm Springs with no suspect information can also be reported on-line at PSPD.com.
