Man pleads not guilty to attempted murder of 2 CHP officers
An Indio man accused of triggering a police chase during which he allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at two California Highway Patrol officers pleaded not guilty Monday to attempted murder and other charges.
Michael Anthony Marquez, 30, was arrested by CHP in Indio last Wednesday afternoon after leading law enforcement on a pursuit in a stolen truck that began in Desert Hot Springs and drew the participation of several law enforcement agencies.
Read: Suspect arrested in stolen truck after leading police on pursuit
Desert Hot Springs police initiated the pursuit of the Chevrolet Silverado, and after the truck was driven out of the city limits, CHP officers, a CHP helicopter and Riverside County sheriff’s deputies joined the chase, according to CHP Officer Ramon Perez.
Once in Thousand Palms, Marquez dropped his passenger off near the corner of Varner Road and Ramon Road, where she was detained by officers. The woman’s name hasn’t been released.
According to Perez, Marquez tossed a handgun from the truck in the parking lot of Stater Bros. at 78210 Varner Road in Palm Desert, then continued driving eastbound along Varner Road where it becomes Avenue 42 in Indio.
Where Avenue 42 ends at Golf Center Parkway, he allegedly leapt from the Silverado while it was still moving and was arrested shortly afterward, Perez said.
Marquez, who’s being held without bail, has prior convictions for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, according to court records. In addition to attempted murder, he is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, vehicle theft and receiving stolen property.
Marquez is slated to return to court May 10 for a felony settlement conference.
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