Mecca, CA - Suspect Steals Riverside Co. Sheriff's Sergeants Police Car - Steals Shotgun - School Lockdown - Escapes
Stolen cop car puts school in lockdown
The Desert Sun April 23, 2009
A 21-year-old Mecca man was arrested on suspicion of stealing a Riverside
County sheriff's sergeant's patrol car, as well as the shotgun contained inside,
forcing the shutdown of a Mecca elementary school Wednesday, officials said.
No injuries were reported and the school lockdown was lifted about 3:45 p.m.
Fabian Guerrero Garcia was being detained in the Riverside County Jail in Indio
on suspicion of grand theft, car theft and a felon in possession of a firearm, a
sheriff's spokeswoman said.
The incident began shortly after 1 p.m. when a sheriff's sergeant spotted a
juvenile, a reported known gang member, wanted on a warrant for escaping a
detention facility.
The sergeant chased the suspect on foot into the Mecca III apartment complex in
the 91-000 block of Avenue 66, said Herlinda Valenzuela, a sheriff's
spokeswoman.
The sergeant's vehicle was left unattended.
At some point a second suspect, identified as Garcia, allegedly stole the
sergeant's car and took it for a drive, Valenzuela said, adding that Garcia got
out of the car a distance away and parked it near Saul Martinez Elementary
School at 65-705 Johnson St.
He then went into the Mecca III apartment complex, Valenzuela said.
A witness called authorities and reported seeing three men, one with a
shotgun, heading for the complex.
Valenzuela said additional deputies were called to the scene and the school was
locked down.
Authorities shut down area streets and went into the complex in search of the
suspects, who were traced to a specific apartment in building N.
The occupants refused to exit, officials said.
About 3:30 p.m., three men, two women and two children, ages 3 and 5,
voluntarily exited the apartment and were taken into custody.
Valenzuela said Garcia was charged while the other adults were released after
questioning.
The shotgun was recovered inside the apartment.
The original suspect the juvenile wanted for escaping from a detention
facility remains at large.
An internal investigation will be conducted to determine if the sheriff's
sergeant followed proper procedure, Valenzuela said.
More than 100 parents rushed to the school Wednesday afternoon after they were
alerted by the principal of the shutdown.
They waited outside for their children for at least 90 minutes.
The school was placed on lockdown as a safety precaution, according to Carey
Carlson, Coachella Valley Unified School District Superintendent.
More than 100 parents rushed to the school Wednesday afternoon after they were
alerted by the principal of the shutdown.
They waited for their children for several hours outside.
The school had been placed on lockdown as a safety precaution, according to
Carey Carlson, Coachella Valley Unifed School District Superintendent.
About 3:45 p.m., Veronica Villicana of North Shore was reunited with her
7-year-old son, Luis, who ran from the school crying into his mother's arms.
At least I knew my son was safe, she said.