Police continue two-day investigation at Coachella home

Fourth Street between Caesar Chavez Street and Palm Avenue in Coachella remained closed Friday morning as the Riverside County Sheriff's Department conducted an investigation.

The stretch of roadway was shut down shortly before noon Wednesday. The investigation was part of a follow-up to a previous case, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Heavy mechanical equipment was seen excavating earth at a residence on the street. A Riverside County Sheriff's Forensics truck was also on scene.

Law enforcement personnel had been seen stacking pallets of cinder block from the residence which seemed to be at the center of the investigation.

No updates had been provided by the Sheriffs Department as of Thursday.

Residents in the area spoke to News Channel 3 on Thursday on what they had seen and heard leading up to the law enforcement response.

Elfego Mejia , a neighborhood resident, said he was awoken around 2 a.m. Wednesday to the sounds of gunfire.

"This morning I got up early because I heard two gunshots but I didn’t know exactly what happened," he said.

Before the sun was up, Mejilla said, emergency responders were on scene. He said he saw two men being arrested outside a home he knew to be vacant but under construction for the last six months.

"The police came and they took two guys from there," he said. "I don't know if they were the owners of the house but the police took them."

One other resident wanted to remain anonymous, but he also expressed concerns.

"It worries me because we don't know exactly what is going on over there. I see some machines, excavating I don't know if they're looking for drugs or bodies," said the resident.

Concerned residents came out of their homes throughout the day looking for answers. Many of them were afraid to speak to News Channel 3 crews on camera.

"I have my children here and it is really dangerous," Mejilla said.