The Desert IndependentTM

Serving Blythe, California & the Desert Regions of the Southwest

Rape Suspect Eludes Police in High-Speed Chase

February 16, 2011

BLYTHE, Calif – On Sunday January 23rd, Cpl. Terry Reynolds investigated a reported alleged rape of a child by 28 year old Keith Alan Riggert of Blythe.

The case was turned over to Det. Tim Cornwell to continue with the investigation. Det. Cornwell learned that Riggert had allegedly raped and committed other sexual acts with the child.

Det. Cornwell requested an arrest warrant for Riggert for violations of Lewd Act on a Child, Sexual Penetration with a Child Under 16 years old, Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Child Under 16 years old and Inflict Corporal Injury Upon a Child. Based on proof and Probable Cause the arrest warrant was issued for Riggert and several attempts were made to locate him.

On February 15th at 2:43 pm Blythe Police received information that Riggert was seen in the area of Acacia and Chanslorway in a black 2006 Toyota Scion. Officers responded to the area in an attempt to locate Riggert and spotted the black Scion southbound on Hwy. 95 from Chanslorway. When officers attempted to stop Riggert, he fled at a high rate of speed. The officers notified dispatch that they were in pursuit of Riggert at speeds over 100 miles per hour. Riggert entered I-10 and proceeded eastbound into Arizona and then took the river road and headed south from there. The pursuit continued on the river road until Riggert lost control of the vehicle he was driving and went off the road and stopped. Riggert left the area on foot and entered a high brush area. Sgt. Joshua Coe who was the senior officer in the pursuit immediately set up a perimeter.

Although the Riverside Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol along with air support, U.S. Border Patrol and a K-9 unit, La Paz County Sheriff’s Office, Imperial County Sheriff’s Office and Fish and Game assisted, Riggert was not located after several hours of searching.

The vehicle Riggert was driving turned out to be stolen out of Huntington Beach, CA.

Riggert is a dangerous 28-year-old white male, 5’11”, 180 lbs., brown hair and brown eyes. He is still outstanding and we are asking for your help in locating him. Do not attempt to contact him yourself, but call the Blythe Police Department.

Persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Anyone with information about this or any criminal activity is urged to contact the Blythe Police Department at (760) 922-6111. Information can be given anonymously by calling (760) 921-CARE.