Woman accused of stealing car and leading police on high speed chase

Police arrested a woman Wednesday after she allegedly stole a Lexus and attempted to run away from police in Palm Springs.

Police began their search for the vehicle after they learned 21-year-old Amber Bernadino, a transient andacquaintanceof the owner’s grandson, had taken the vehicle. They located Bernadino at around 5:50 P.M. driving the stolen Lexus GS3 on E Tahquitz Canyon Way. Before police attempted to stop the vehicle, Bernadino began speeding away.

Police pursued at speeds exceeding 70 mph, but as Bernadino began driving recklessly at such high speeds, they called off the pursuit with the safety of the public in mind.

Ten minutes later, officers found the Lexus abandoned on Villa Francea with a handgun and stolen property inside the vehicle. Police searched the area and located Bernadino on the 1100 block of Calle Rolph.

She was arrested and taken to the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on multiple charges includingpossessionof a firearm and vehicle theft.