Felon Who Led Coachella Valley Chase Makes Court Appearance

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — A felon who allegedly led authorities in a vehicle pursuit while under the influence of narcotics in Coachella pleaded not guilty to felony charges Thursday.

Francisco Romero Jr., 44, of Coachella was charged with five felony counts, one each of evading arrest, possessing controlled substances while armed, being a convicted felon and narcotic addict in possession of a firearm, possessing ammunition and manufacturing/importing/selling/possessing a large capacity magazine, according to court records. He was additionally charged with one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of drugs.

Romero pleaded not guilty to all charges Thursday afternoon at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Around 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, deputies attempted to stop Romero who was suspected of driving while under the influence in the area of Avenue 54 and Cesar Chavez Street, near Augustine Casino, according to Sgt. Mariano Matos III of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Matos said that Romero allegedly failed to stop and initiated a pursuit that lasted less than one minute. He allegedly stopped in a dirt lot near Shady Lane and Avenida Del Prado.

It's alleged that Romero discarded a loaded handgun and two extended magazines during the pursuit, according to Matos. Authorities were allegedly able to locate and seize the items.

Romero was booked into the John Benoit Detention Center and was being held on $1 million bail.

According to court records, Romero also had an active warrant out for his arrest for a separate case in which he's charged with four felony counts, two of possession of controlled substances for sale and one each of importing/selling/distributing controlled substances into the state and transporting/selling narcotic and controlled substances.