SBCSD: La Quinta man high on mushrooms assaults deputy, wrecks restaurant
On Friday at around 2:34 a.m., deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department - Morongo Basin Station responded to reports of a burglary in progress at La Casita Restaurant in Yucca Valley.
According to deputies, restaurant staff were cleaning up after closing. At some point, Erick Ramirez-Ortega, 18, of La Quinta broke into the restaurant.
Deputies said when they arrived they found Ramirez-Ortega inside La Casita destroying items.
Deputies attempted to arrest Ramirez-Ortega, however, he allegedly resisted arrest and ended up assaulting a deputy in the process. The Sheriff's Department did not go into further detail on the assault or disclose whether the deputy needed medical treatment.
The Sheriff's Department revealed that Ramirez-Ortega was later found to be under the influence of hallucinogen mushrooms. He was taken to Hi-Desert Medical Center for treatment.
After being released from the hospital, Ramirez-Ortega was booked at the Morongo Basin Jail in lieu of $100,000 for Battery on a Peace Officer and Burglary.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Morongo Basin Station at (760)366-4175. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME.
