Juveniles Booked on Possession of Firearms

An accident, resisting arrest, search warrants lead to youths booked on possession of firearms

COACHELLA — A driver and passengers were booked at the Indio Juvenile Hall in Indio on Wednesday for possession of firearms following an accident and resisting arrest.

It all began about 2:14 p.m. on April 26. The Thermal Station Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was conducting a surveillance operation in the city of Coachella reference recent criminal activity. During the operation, a black Nissan Sentra caught the attention of the surveillance units.

The Coachella Community Action Team (CCAT) located the vehicle on Avenue 52 and Genoa Street, in the city of Coachella. A traffic enforcement stop was attempted due to a vehicle code violation. The vehicle failed to yield and continued at a high rate of speed. A vehicle pursuit ensued, which continued through the city of Coachella and into the city of Indio.

The suspect vehicle caused a minor traffic collision at the intersection of Monroe Street and Avenue 48, in the city of Indio. No injuries were reported, and the suspect vehicle continue to evade pursuing units.

The vehicle briefly stopped in the 82100 block of Dr. Carreon Boulevard, in the city of Indio, and two occupants fled into an apartment complex. The suspect vehicle continued through the city of Indio until it yielded at the intersection of Highway 111 and Indio Boulevard, in the city of Indio. The driver, a 17-year-old juvenile of Coachella was taken into custody without incident. The passenger of the vehicle, a 14-year-old juvenile of Coachella was taken into custody without incident.

Meanwhile, a perimeter was established in the 82100 block of Dr. Carreon Boulevard to apprehend the outstanding suspects with the assistance of the Indio Police Department. During a search of the area, the suspects that fled from the vehicle were located hiding in another vehicle. They were taken into custody without incident and identified as 17-year-old and 14-year-old juveniles of Coachella.

Search warrants were served on the involved vehicles, and multiple firearms were located.

The driver was booked at the Indio Juvenile Hall in the city of Indio, for felony evading, hit and run traffic collision, minor in possession of a loaded firearm, and minor in possession of ammunition.

The passengers were booked at the Juvenile Hall in the city of Indio, for resisting arrest, minor in possession of a loaded firearm, and minor in possession of ammunition.

The Thermal Station Investigations Special Investigations Unit is asking anyone with additional information to contact Corporal McTigue at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station by calling (760) 863-8107, or Deputy Molina with the Coachella Community Action Team at the Thermal Sheriff’s Station by calling (760) 863-8887. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Valley Crimestoppers at (760) 341-7867.