A documented gang member was arrested but quickly released on bail Friday, accused of carrying suspected cocaine and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Christopher Elyjah Martinez, 26, of Cathedral City was booked at the Indio jail on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance, possessing a controlled substance and a firearm simultaneously and for being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to Riverside County sheriff’s Paul Heredia.
Riverside County jail records show he was released on zero bail after being booked, although staff at the Indio jail could not immediately be reached for confirmation.
According to the sheriff’s department, personnel from the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force were called to assist California Highway Patrol officers a late-night crash Thursday involving a single vehicle on Interstate 10 on the Date Palm Drive off-ramp.
Authorities allegedly discovered Martinez behind the wheel of the vehicle, carrying a white substance thought to be cocaine, along with a loaded handgun.
Martinez is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 23 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.
No additional information was available.
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