2 stolen Hondas lead to 4 arrests near Thermal

Authorities arrested four people after two separate stolen car pursuits took place in the southern Coachella Valley Thursday.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, around 1 p.m., a Coachella police officer saw a stolen Honda driving in the area of Avenue 54 and Harrison Street. A pursuit began after the driver refused to pull over.

The stolen car went off-road near Avenue 66 and Martinez Road. Three suspects exited the vehicle and ran into a palm tree grove, deputies said in the release.

The three suspects were arrested around 1:30 p.m. They were identified as 25-year- old Christopher Gonzalez of Mecca, 19-year-old Tracy Guadalupe, also of Mecca, and a 17 year old boy from Palm Springs was also taken into custody.

Desert Mirage High School K-12 was placed on lockdown for about 20 minutes as a precaution while police tracked down the trio.

During the search for the suspects, another stolen Honda was seen driving in the area. When deputies tried to stop that driver, another pursuit began. This chase ended on the 86 Expressway near Avenue 81 when the stolen car became disabled, according to the sheriff’s department.

Deputies arrested Francisco Diaz, a 23 year old from Mecca, for vehicle theft. There was no additional information on the charges the other three suspects are facing.

Authorities said speeds in both pursuits reached above 100 MPH at various times, but nobody was hurt and there were no vehicle collisions.

Anyone with information about either of the incidents is asked to call the Thermal Sheriff Station at 760-863-8990.