Hit And Run Arrest made in Banning

Banning Police have arrested the man they believe was behind the wheel in a deadly hit and run crash that was all caught on tape.

On Friday, two and half months after he was detained and questioned, police arrested 28 year old Sachin Bhakta for murder, felony hit and run and driving on a suspended license. He works in Banning as a hotel manager..

The January 30th hit and run that took the life of Cody Rodenbucher was caught on a security camera. The 17 year old Needles teenager was struck and killed as he walked along the 45 hundred block of Ramsey Street. According to Banning Police Chief Leonard Purvis, Bhakta has 3 prior D-U-I convictions and was driving on a suspended license. “He had been admonished by the court that if was drinking and driving and hurt someone and killed somebody he could be charged with murder and that’s why we did that, that’s why we charged him with murder.”

Bhakta who is being held without bail is scheduled for arraignment Tuesday at the Southwest Justice Center.