A Joshua Tree transient was arrested Tuesday morning after he caused a disturbance at the hospital. According to a Sheriff’s report, Christopher Persall went to Hi-Desert Medical Center two times Tuesday. The second time, he had been medically cleared, but the report states hospital staff felt uncomfortable letting him leave about 10:15 am. because they believed he was too high on drugs. About 12:30, Persall became argumentative and hospital security had to tackle him. Arriving deputies determined he was under the influence of a controlled substance, and that there was a warrant for his arrest in Riverside County. Christopher Persall was arrested on the warrant, and is being held without bail at West Valley Detention Center.
