Woman charged for alleged golf cart theft which led deputies to drugs

Felony charges were filed today against a 39-year-old woman suspected of stealing a golf cart in La Quinta, which led deputies to serve a search warrant in Indio, where three other people were arrested when a handgun, drugs and drug paraphernalia were allegedly found.

Lydia Ruiz was charged with one felony count each of taking a vehicle without the owner's consent and receiving a stolen vehicle, according to court records. She was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.   

Deputies responded Nov. 26 to a report of a burglary in La Quinta, where a golf cart was stolen, according to Sgt. Kyle LaFond of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. The burglary led deputies to serve a search warrant in the 82000 block of Indio Boulevard on Thursday.

"During the service of the search warrant, over a quarter-pound of suspected methamphetamine, 22 suspected Fentanyl pills and other items related to drug sales were located,'' LaFond wrote in a statement. "Additionally, one of the subjects at the location was found to be in possession of a loaded Springfield 9mm handgun."  

At the conclusion of the warrant, four suspects were arrested, according to LaFond.

One suspect was booked on suspicion of possessing narcotics with a loaded firearm, and being a felon in possession of ammunition and a firearm, LaFond said. The second suspect was arrested on suspicion of possessing narcotics for sale and the third was arrested for an outstanding felony warrant.

Ruiz and one of the suspects were booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning while the two other suspects were booked into the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta, according to inmate records. Ruiz remains held on $100,000 bail, while the other three suspects were each held on $70,000, $50,000 and $10,000.

No charges were immediately filed against the three other suspects in connection to Thursday's search.  

Anyone with additional information on the case was asked to call Deputy Martin with the Riverside County Thermal Sheriff's station at 760-863-8990.

Be the first to know when news breaks in Coachella Valley. Download the News Channel 3 app here.