Man arrested for string of thefts after 14-mile chase
An Indio man was arrested Tuesday night following a 14-mile chase that ended in Thermal.
On April 2 at 6:09 p.m., Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies assigned to the La Quinta Special Enforcement Team (SET) were in the process of searching for 23-year-old Luis Meza, who was wanted for ‘several thefts, burglaries, and stolen vehicles’, according to a Sheriff’s Department news release.
The deputies located a white Ford F-150 which had been reported stolen in Palm Desert but had its licensed plates swapped out. The deputies attempted a traffic stop at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Miles Avenue, but the driver, Meza, refused to yield. Meza eventually came to a stop on Polk Street near Avenue 64, bailed out on foot and ran from the vehicle.
Meza was located after a searching aided by a CHP helicopter and a canine team. He was taken into custody without further incident and was booked into Riverside County Jail in Indio.
He is facing four felony charges (evading a police officer/reckless driving, possession of ammunition by a prohibited person, possession of stolen property, and conspiracy to commit a crime). He is being held on $500,000 bail.
Anyone with information relating to this investigation is urged to contact Officer M. Rodriguez or Officer A. McGuire at (760) 863-8051 or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Dispatch (760) 836-3215.
