Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Cameron James
File # GE233470001 ZE233470003
Update:
On Wednesday, December 14, 2023, members of the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force conducted follow up investigations into the weapon and drug seizure that occurred on December 13, 2023. Gang Task Force members authored a search warrant for a location in the 78000 block of Country Club Drive, Bermuda Dunes. During the search warrant, Gang Task Force members collected an additional 30 lbs. of suspected fentanyl and 6 firearms.
Additional information was developed that the subject responsible for the fentanyl and firearms was driving around in the immediate area. With the assistance of the Riverside County Sheriff’s K9 Team, the vehicle was found in a parking lot near the intersection of Avenue 42 and Washington Street, Bermuda Dunes. The K9 Team and members from the Gang Task Force contacted the vehicle in the parking lot and arrested the solo occupant, Oscar Montillo Diaz, a 20-year-old resident of Coachella. Additional narcotics and evidence were found inside the vehicle, linking Diaz to the location on County Club Drive. Diaz was arrested for possession of methamphetamine for sale, possession of fentanyl for sales, transportation of narcotics and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center.
This is an ongoing investigation, and Task Force Officers are still working to locate additional individuals involved with the firearms and illegal narcotics. If you have any information about this crime, please contact Gang Task Force member Deputy Piscatella at (760) 836–1600. If you have non-emergency information regarding gang activity, please use our Online Gang Task Force Tip Form or call 951–922–7601. If you have information regarding criminal activity and wish to be anonymous, please call Valley Crimestoppers at (760)341–7867.
Details:
On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 1:43 p.m., members of the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force (CVVCGTF), along with the Riverside Auto-Theft Interdiction Detail (RAID), were conducting a weapons-related investigation in the 85900 block of Avenida Aleenah, Coachella.
CVVCGTF and RAID identified a stolen vehicle in the same area during the investigation. With the assistance of the California Highway Patrol Air Operations, two male juveniles were observed inside the vehicle, attempting to start it. Both juveniles were contacted and arrested for being in possession of a stolen vehicle and booked into the Indio Juvenile Detention Center.
CVVCGTF and RAID members continued their weapons investigation and identified Sergio Felix, a 20-year-old resident of Coachella, and a 14-year-old male juvenile resident of Coachella, leaving the area. CVVCGTF members conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle, taking Felix and the juvenile into custody for an outstanding arrest warrant and probation violation. A search of the vehicle revealed a fully automatic short-barrel rifle and two handguns, one handgun determined to be fully automatic.
CVVCGTF members authored a search warrant for the residence on Avenida Aleenah and recovered additional firearms and approximately 42 lbs. of suspected fentanyl. Felix was arrested for several weapon-related charges, child endangerment, and violation of probation. The 14-year-old male juvenile was also arrested for multiple weapon-related charges. They were booked at the John Benoit Detention Center and the Indio Juvenile Detention Center. This is an ongoing investigation, and deputies are still working to arrest the suspect responsible for the 42 lbs of suspected fentanyl.
The Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force is committed to creating safe and secure neighborhoods free of violent crime and gang activity. This investigation is ongoing; if you have any information about this crime, please contact Gang Task Force member Deputy Piscatella at (760) 836-1600. If you have non-emergency information regarding gang activity, please use our Online Gang Task Force Tip Form or call 951-922-7601. If you have information regarding criminal activity and wish to be anonymous, please call Valley Crimestoppers at (760)341-7867.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
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