Teens arrested after Coachella armed robbery, vehicle pursuit
COACHELLA –Authorities apprehended two alleged suspects they say robbed a man at gunpoint, before leading them on a high-speed chase late Sunday night, Nov. 18.
Deputies investigating the robbery arrested one adult and one juvenile and recovered two handguns they believe may have been used during the violent incident.
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Deputies were first alerted to the robbery about 10:40 p.m., after two suspects allegedly approached a male victim who was walking on the 84000 block of Ave 49, near Van Buren St., Riverside Sheriff’s Sgt. Rick Espinoza said after the arrests.
Ruben Ramirez, 18, was one of two alleged robbery suspects apprehended after leading deputies on a pursuit in Coachella. RSO booking photo
The victim told deputies two males brandished weapons at him while demanding his property. Fearing for his life, the victim turned over his belongings to the pair, at which time they fled the area with several other people in a white vehicle.
Deputies put out a general broadcast to other area deputies and law enforcement agencies, requesting officials be on the lookout for the vehicle and suspects.
A short time later other deputies spotted a vehicle filled with people who matched the suspects’ description and attempted to conduct an investigatory traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle failed to yield to deputies’ lights and sirens and a pursuit ensued.
As the chase continued, the alleged suspects abandoned their vehicle on Vine St., just north of 3rd St., and numerous subjects were seen fleeing on foot from the vehicle.
Deputies were initially able to apprehend one suspect who was found armed with a firearm, and officials continued searching for the other people seen running from the car.
During an “extensive search of the area” a second suspect was apprehended, according to Espinoza, who said a second firearm was recovered in the area.
The suspects were later identified as 18-year-old, Ruben Ramirez Jr., and a 17-year-old male juvenile. Both are Coachella residents.
The juvenile was booked at the Juvenile Hall Facility in Indio and Ramirez was booked into Indio Jail on suspicion of second degree robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony. Ramirez remains in custody on $30,000 bail.
Espinoza did not specify of deputies recovered the victim’s personal belongings during their investigation.
Anyone with information about this investigation or who knows the other alleged suspects involved in this robbery are encouraged to contact Investigator Bloomquist at the Thermal Station at (760) 863-8990. Callers can refer to incident file number Y183220061 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 47, moved last year to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, The Valley Chronicle, and Anza Valley Outlook; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 28 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 15 – but soon to be 16 – grandchildren.