Palm Desert Retail Store Theft Suspect Apprehended in Multi-Agency Effort
Palm Desert, CA – Authorities have made progress in the investigation of a series of thefts at a retail store in the 73000 block of El Paseo, Palm Desert. The incidents occurred on October 7 and October 18, 2023, with suspects stealing high-value merchandise during both incidents.
Deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to the theft reports and initiated an investigation, which was later taken over by the Palm Desert Investigations Bureau with the support of the Palm Desert Station-Business District Team.
During the course of their inquiry, one of the suspects, 25-year-old Nikolas Mallory of Los Angeles, was identified as a suspect in similar robberies in Los Angeles. Collaborative efforts between the Palm Desert Investigations Bureau and the Los Angeles Police Department-Organized Retail Crime Task Force led to a breakthrough on October 22, 2023.
Search warrants were executed in the 800 block of W. 104th Street, Los Angeles, resulting in the apprehension of Nikolas Mallory. The search also yielded evidence linking Mallory to the El Paseo thefts. He was subsequently booked into a Los Angeles County jail. The identity of the second suspect involved in the Palm Desert thefts remains unknown, and the investigation is ongoing.
Individuals with any information related to these thefts are urged to contact Investigator Pfohlman at 760–836–1600.
The identification of these suspects and their possible involvement in organized retail crime is a culmination of collaborative efforts with various law enforcement agencies across California. The ongoing investigations have led to numerous arrests initiated by the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards such offenses and encourages the public to avoid interfering or attempting to apprehend suspects involved in organized retail crime. Instead, they are urged to be vigilant witnesses and gather information such as license plates and suspect descriptions to assist investigators.
If you suspect illegal activity in your vicinity, please contact the Coachella Valley Dispatch Center at 760–836–3215 or dial 911 in the event of an emergency.
