Two Yucca Valley men who allegedly stabbed one man and beat another to bolster their gang’s reputation were in custody Thursday on assault and gang activity charges. Rodney Finister, 30, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, participation in a criminal street gang and committing a felony for the benefit of a street gang. Terrell Small, 23, was arrested on battery with serious bodily injury, participation in a criminal street gang and committing a felony for the benefit of a street gang. Both men were booked at the Correctional Facility in Banning on $70,000 bail.
Palm Springs police had responded at 2:26 a.m., March 19 to the Pilot Travel Center gas station on North Indian Canyon Drive to reports of a fight involving several people, resulting in one man stabbed and another punched repeatedly in the face. Police said the victims were buying gas when a group of men approached them, yelling, before attacking them. Police said that the attack was committed “for intimidation purposes and furtherance of the gang’s reputation.” Wednesday afternoon, Palm Springs police, with assistance from San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies, served search warrants in Yucca Valley and arrested Rodney Finister and Terrell Small. They are due in an Indio courtroom today.
TWO YUCCA VALLEY MEN ARRESTED FOR SUSPECTED GANG ACTIVITY
