UPDATE 2:00 pm Wednesday, January 6
As per his family, Daniel has been located and is safe.
A popular local character, a regular at the Joshua Tree Farmer’s market, Daniel Woods, has been reported missing after he was released from jail in Banning December 30. His sister, Paulina Woods, told Z107.7 News that Woods, a black man in his 20s, suffers from schizophrenia and is being treated. She said Woods was at the Tortoise Rock Casino in Twentynine Palms on Tuesday, December 29 and began acting up, local deputies were called. Woods asked one of the deputies he was friendly with for a ride to Palm Springs and was taken to the Agua Caliente Casino. Another incident with Woods brought Riverside County deputies there and Woods was subsequently arrested for investigation of trespassing and booked into the Banning Jail. At the jail, his cellphone and valuables were checked in, as is routine. December 30, Woods was released from the Banning Jail on a “convenience release.” Inmates are expected to come back to get their phones and valuables back; Woods did not do so and has not been seen since. Woods, who recently lost his mother, has a home and family in Joshua Tree and when he had not returned later in the day on December 30th, his sister filed a formal missing person report with the Banning Police. He is not taking medication prescribed for his health condition. Anyone who sees Daniel Woods or knows his whereabouts is asked to call local law enforcement.
