A Joshua Tree transient, who’s been convicted of several felonies, was arrested again Tuesday for theft and parole violations. According to Sheriff’s Sergeant Steve Wilson, William Gaines, 49, had been a caretaker for an elderly couple in the 62200 block of Verbena Road in Joshua Tree. On his recommendation, the couple also hired Christy Popevis, 38, a transient from Desert Hot Springs, as their caretaker, but Wilson said they were too intimidated by Gaines to fire him. Sunday night, Popevis arrived at the couple’s home, but Gaines refused to let her in, and Wilson said he also convinced the couple not to let her in. Popevis called police, who ended up arresting her on two warrants, totaling $165,000. When the woman was released from jail Monday, she went back to the couple’s house and discovered that her plasma TV and some clothing were missing from her room. The couple also discovered that a .22-caliber, 9-shot revolver was missing from the locked gun cabinet. Gaines, who is a registered sex offender, was wearing a GPS ankle bracelet, and on Tuesday, the parole officer tracked him down to a house in the 3200 block of Heron Avenue in Joshua Tree. Deputies found Popevis’s TV and clothing in the house, but were unable to locate the missing gun. William Gaines was arrested for a parole violation, and for investigation of theft. He was booked into the West Valley Detention Center and is being held without bail.
