Police chase ends as suspect pulls into casino valet parking

More information has been released regarding the man arrested Tuesday after a police chase ended at the front entrance of Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called to a family disturbance in the 84000 block of Leyte Avenue in Indio at about 3:40 p.m.

Family members told authorities that 47-year-old Porfirio Camarena had left the house and was possibly under the influence of narcotics.

While deputies were at the residence, Camarena drove past the home and they began to follow him. They said he appeared to be under the influence but he continued driving when they tried to pull him over.

The chase continued through the city of Indio until Camarena attempted to drive through the front doors of Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Indian Springs Drive, authorities said.

A witness with the valet department told News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 that Camarena’s car rolled up to the casino’s entrance at about 5MPH, then hit the front doors. Cops surrounded the car and had to break a window and pepper-spray the man in order to get him out, the witness said.

Camarena was arrested around 4:30 p.m.

No injuries were reported but Camarena was given medical clearance before being booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio.

According to public relations officials with the resort, the casino operated as usual during the incident.