Teen arrested for armed robbery outside Spotlight 29 Casino

A 17-year-old teenager was arrested after allegedly robbing a person at gunpoint outside Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella and triggering a brief car chase, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department officials said.

Deputies responding to a 3:05 a.m. call of an armed robbery in the parking lot of the casino spotted the suspected getaway vehicle and began following it. Soon after the pursuit began, the suspect crashed the vehicle into a center median and was taken into custody on suspicion of armed robbery, evading police with wanton disregard for public safety and possession of controlled substances for sale.

It is not clear what substances were found on the suspect, who was allegedly armed with a handgun.

The teen, whose name was withheld, was taken to a local hospital as a precaution prior to being booked into juvenile hall.

No other injuries were reported.