TWENTYNINE PALMS MAN ACCUSED OF VANDALIZING TWO TWENTYNINE PALMS BUSINESSES WITH A SHOVEL

A Twentynine Palms man was arrested Tuesday (September 21) accused of felony vandalism after smashing windows out of two Twentynine Palms businesses to “rescue hostages” he thought were inside. According to Sheriff’s reports, deputies were dispatched to the 73700 block of Twentynine Palms highway around 6 a.m. for a report of an activated alarm. Arriving deputies found multiple broken doors and windows at the location. Deputies then received another activated alarm report at another nearby businesses where the front window had been broken. During an area check, deputies located Jeffrey Lee Goertzen, 35, who had a shovel in his possession. Goertzen led deputies on a short foot pursuit before being detained. Under Miranda, Goertzen admitted to smashing the windows and doors, causing an estimated $3,500 in damages. Goertzen told Deputies that he believed there were “hostages inside” the buildings. Jeffrey Lee Goertzen was arrested for investigation of felony vandalism and on a $35,000 felony warrant for being drunk in public. He was booked into the West Valley Detention Center with his bail set at $25,000.