Updated 11:10 a.m. with the name of the alleged assailant
A Joshua Tree musician was assaulted by a naked man high on drugs Friday night. About 11:30 p.m. Gene Evaro Jr., was inside the convenience store at the Valero gas station in downtown Joshua Tree when he said a naked man, later identified as Joseph Rotstein, 18, of Morongo Valley, came up behind him and punched him several times in the face, giving him a black eye. Evaro’s companions subdued Rotstein so that Evaro could get out of the store. Shortly after attacking Evaro, the assailant began destroying merchandise and attacked a Joshua Tree woman, Deseret Pinar, 29, pinning her to the floor and pulling her hair. Joseph Rotstein was arrested for investigation of vandalism and being under the influence. Deseret Pinar, 29, was also arrested for investigation of being under the influence and possession of methamphetamine.
