“Court sting” leads to four arrests

Four people were arrested Monday during a sting operationfocusing on DUI suspects who aren’t supposed to get behind the wheel.

Victor Hernandez, 49, of La Quinta was arrested Monday morning in the“court sting” targeting DUI suspects whose licenses are suspended or revoked,or who drive without a license. The sting was operated by the Palm DesertTraffic Services Team at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, according to theRiverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Also arrested were Walter Lilly, 58, of Palm Springs; Yamilia Bernal,23, of North Shore; and Larry Baker, 49, of La Quinta. All four arrestees wereallegedly driving on suspended licenses and their vehicles were impounded,according to the sheriff’s department.

Lilly, Bernal and Baker posted $2,500 bonds on Monday, and Hernandez isbeing held in lieu of $2,500 bail at the Robert Presley Detention Center inRiverside, according to jail records.

According to the sheriff’s department, deputies staked out people whohad been told by a judge not to drive and/or who had been told of their licensesuspension. Deputies followed 20 people from courtrooms to their vehicles toensure that they weren’t driving.

“While some offenders complied with the law and had alternate means oftransportation, four individuals in court for DUI while driving on a suspendedor unlicensed driver proceeded to get behind the wheel and drove away from thecourthouse,” sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Adams said.

The sting was funded by a grant from the California Office of TrafficSafety.