Deputies identify suspect being sought near Bermuda Dunes

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department released the identity of the man who ran from deputies during a traffic stop Tuesday morning, causing precautionary school lockdowns and road closures in Bermuda Dunes.

Arturo Sanchez, a 32-year-old Indio resident, was pulled over at Brownstown Drive and Ewarton Road just before 9:30 a.m., according to Deputy Armando Munoz.

He ditched his vehicle and ran from deputies. The sheriff’s department searched the area for about an hour using a CHP helicopter and a K9 but were unable to find Sanchez.

Deputies found stolen property in his car which was taken from two separate Palm Desert residences. He’s now wanted for possession of stolen property and for violating his probation, according to the sheriff’s release.

Because deputies were able to identify the suspect, they’re expecting to track him down using alternative methods.

The search for Sanchez caused at least three schools to go on voluntary lockdown momentarily Tuesday morning while officers searched the area: James Monroe Elementary School; Desert Christian Academy; and the Bermuda Dunes Learning Center.

Deputy Munoz said the suspect was heading in the opposite direction of the schools at the time.

One viewer said parents received text alerts from Desert Christian Academy to notify them of the lockdown around 10 a.m. but they weren’t given any specifics as to why the school was locked down.

News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 will bring you more information as the sheriff’s department continues to search for Sanchez.