A man who police say stole a wedding ring from a woman, then tried to sell the ring back to her has been charged with extortion, grand theft, and evading arrest.
Yukon Lee Branch, 43, was arrested New Year’s Day after leading police on a pursuit through Palm Springs, reports KESQ. Six hours earlier, at 8:30 pm, police say Branch grabbed the ring from a woman who had met him in Palm Desert after posting the ring for sale online. He later attempted to sell the ring back to the woman for $500, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept.
Officers tried to pull over Branch at a traffic stop near the 10 Freeway and Indian Canyon, but he sped away leading to the pursuit.
He is being held without bail.
