Man to be arraigned for attempted murder of two CHP officers

An Indio man arrested last week for allegedly leading police on a chase across the Coachella Valley was scheduled to be arraigned today on charges of attempted murder involving two California Highway Patrol
officers.

Michael Anthony Marquez, 30, is accused of pointing a loaded handgun at two CHP officers during the chase, which began in Desert Hot Springs and drew the participation of several law enforcement agencies.

Marquez, who is slated to be arraigned in an Indio court this morning, also faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, vehicle theft, and receiving stolen property. He was arrested by the California Highway Patrol in Indio Wednesday after allegedly leading law enforcement on a pursuit that began shortly before 2 p.m.

Desert Hot Springs police began pursuing the pickup truck allegedly driven by Marquez, who was accompanied by a female passenger. The truck, a Chevy Silverado, was later determined to have been stolen.

CHP officers, a CHP helicopter and Riverside County sheriff’s deputies joined the chase after the truck left Desert Hot Springs, according to CHP Officer Ramon Perez.

Once in Thousand Palms, Marquez dropped the woman off near the corner of Varner and Ramon roads, where she was detained by officers. Her name has not been released.

According to Perez, Marquez was armed with a handgun, which he tossed from the truck in the parking lot of the Palm Desert Stater Bros. at 78210 Varner Road, then continued driving eastbound along Varner Road where it becomes Avenue 42 in Indio.

Once Avenue 42 ended at Golf Center Parkway, he allegedly leapt from the Chevy while it was still moving and was arrested shortly after abandoning the truck, Perez said.

Marquez, who’s being held without bail, has prior convictions for robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, according to court records.