A Joshua Tree man was arrested early Tuesday morning, accused of vandalizing a gas station. Deputies were called to the 76 gas station in Joshua Tree just after midnight Tuesday by employees who said that Duke Early, 44, was harassing customers and vandalizing the fuel pumps. Arriving deputies saw Early swinging a fuel pump hose and nozzle into the pumps. Despite multiple commands to stop, Early continued to swing the hose at the pumps. Deputies then used a bean bag gun on Early, at which time he then stopped swinging the hose and complied with deputy commands. Duke Early was arrested without further incident for investigation of felony vandalism, booked into the Morongo Basin Jail, with his bail set at $25,000. Damage to the gas pumps is estimated to be in excess of $10,000.
