Parolee who fled from stolen car onto Thermal school campus causes lock-down, arrested

THERMAL — A parolee driving a stolen car was arrested Friday morning, Sept. 28, after officials say the man fled from deputies and attempted to hide on the campus of a Thermal elementary school.

The school, John Kelley Elementary, was placed on lock-down while deputies searched for and later arrested the fleeing man.

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After his apprehension, deputies arrested David Linares Samora III, 27, of Indio. He was booked into Indio Jail on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, willful harm to a child, possession of burglary tools, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of parole.

He remains in custody held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned at Indio’s Larson Justice Center Oct. 2.

A deputy assigned to the Thermal Sheriff’s Station spotted Samora driving a gray Hyundai Genesis around 11 a.m., Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Frederick explained after Samora’s arrest.

The stolen car was being driven westbound on Airport Boulevard, near Fillmore Street, according to Frederick.

When the deputy conducted a check of the vehicle’s registration he learned the Hyundai had been reported stolen and began following the vehicle while waiting for additional officers to arrive in the area.

The deputy continued following the Hyundai to the area of Main and Date streets where the driver, later identified as Samora, abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.

As Samora was fleeing from pursuing deputies he was spotted jumping a fence surrounding the elementary school and running onto the school’s campus.

School administrators immediately placed the campus on lock-down, directing all teachers to lock their doors and shelter in place with the students.

“Deputies were able to quickly locate and arrest Samora,” Frederick explained – saying, “Samora did not gain access into any of the classrooms.”

No deputies, students, or faculty members, were injured during the incident and Samora’s subsequent apprehension.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Riverside County’s Thermal Sheriff’s Station at (760) 863-8990. Callers can refer to incident file number C182710019 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

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