Longtime Desert Hot Springs Councilmember Russell Betts has been charged by the Riverside County District Attorney’s office.
Betts has been charged with felony vandalism and misdemeanor false imprisonment, according to the criminal complaint, filed on Nov. 4.
RIF2405660, Betts, Complaint_Redacted Download
According to an arrest declaration, the incident happened on the morning of Aug. 4 at a 7-Eleven. It details notes from DA Senior Investigator Lauren Swirsky.
The original report came from the victim’s mother, who told police that the victim drove past Betts and made a hand gesture.
After watching the surveillance video, Swirsky writes that Betts is believed to have followed the victim into the 7-Eleven parking lot, where he parked his vehicle with little room for the victim’s vehicle to get out. The victim attempted to back out to leave, and after two attempts, drove into Bett’s side door with minimal force.
Betts is accused of then kicking the victim’s vehicle and striking two more times with his hand before the victim was able to back out and leave the parking lot.