Man charged with attempted murder after police chase
A man was arrested in Coachella Thursday night after he carjacked a motor home, leading to a high-speed chase and shootout with the California Highway Patrol and Riverside County Sheriff’s Department on Highway 86.
Officers said 34-year-old Jorge Valdez of Coachella evaded CHP in a stolen vehicle near Highway 86 and Avenue 62 around 5:15 p.m.
At some point, the suspect crashed the stolen car and ran from the scene.
The sheriff’s department responded to help search for Valdez. Shortly after, witnesses reported seeing a Hispanic man with a gun trying to stop vehicles on Highway 86.
Valdez stopped a motor home with an elderly couple inside. He held the man who was driving at gunpoint and ordered him to drive northbound on the highway, which led to another chase, officers said.
The motor home came to a stop after it hit spike strips authorities had laid out on the expressway. That’s when officers heard gunshots being fired inside the RV.
The female victim ran from the vehicle toward police and Valdez was seen pointing a gun at officers from the doorway. That’s when CHP and the sheriff’s department fired their weapons at him.
Authorities said Valdez surrendered shortly after and was taken into custody. He was treated for injuries at the scene. The male victim was shot once by Valdez and was airlifted to the hospital with a non life-threatening wound.
Valdez was booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, carjacking, felony evading, a felon in possession of a firearm and a parole violation.
Authorities said the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave which is part of the department’s policy regarding these situations. Their names aren’t being released at this time.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to call Investigator Wortman of the Central Homicide Unit at 760-393-3526 or Investigator Butvida at 760-863-8990.
Viewer Photos: Suspect crashes car in Coachella before carjacking two people in RV