Full Notification

On Saturday, June 20, 2015 at approximately 4:45 PM, PSPD responded to the 1800 block of North Palm Canyon Drive, to investigate a reported Battery that had just occurred. PSPD arrived on scene and spoke to several witnesses and a 71 year old male victim. PSPD learned that the victim was approached by the suspect as the victim exited a local business. The suspect asked about the victim's sexual orientation and the victim responded that he was "gay". The suspect then began punching and kicking the victim causing injury to the victim before fleeing from the location on foot. The victim declined medical attention at the scene but later received medical treatment on his own for an injury that was caused during the battery. During the criminal investigation, the suspect was identified as Suspect- Joshua Wade Johnson, whose whereabouts were unknown after the attack. The victim and Johnson did not have any relationship or knowledge of each other prior to the incident. On Thursday, June 25, 2015, at approximately 4:30 pm, PSPD responded to the 63000 block of 20th Avenue, to investigate a reported fight in progress. PSPD arrived on scene and spoke to a witness and a 22 year old male victim. The victim reported that he was approached outside of a local business by a white male adult, later identified as Suspect-Johnson. Johnson reportedly asked the victim for some spare change and the victim declined. Johnson made a derogatory remark and asked the victim about his sexual orientation. The victim responded that he was "gay" and Johnson attempted to punch the victim. One of the punches struck the victim's shoulder but did not cause injury. Johnson was then held down by the victim and a witness while PSPD was called and responded to the scene. The victim and Johnson did not have any relationship or knowledge of each other prior to the incident. Johnson was arrested without incident, was interviewed, and was later transported to the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility. Both of these incidents are being investigated and will be forwarded to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office as Hate Crimes, based on the nature of these incidents and information obtained during the subsequent investigations. Anybody with information regarding these incidents or any other incidents that are possibly related or have not been reported is asked to contact PSPD Detective Campbell at 760-323-8136 or Valley Crime Stoppers at 760-341-STOP (7867). The investigation into these incidents is ongoing and PSPD is unable to release any additional information at this time as it may jeopardize the criminal investigation and any future prosecution. SUSPECT INFORMATION: Joshua Wade Johnson, 30 years old, Transient-Palm Springs VIOLATIONS ALLEGED: (1) 368(b)(1) P.C. - Elder Abuse (Felony) (1) 243(d) P.C. - Battery w/ Serious Bodily Injury (Felony) (1) 242 P.C. - Battery (Misdemeanor) (1) 422.75 (a) P.C. - Hate Crime (Felony) (1) 422.6 (c) P.C.- Hate Crime (Misdemeanor)