A total of 13 motorcyclists were arrested in Temecula after allegedly leading deputies on a pursuit, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department announced Sunday.
Deputies from the sheriff’s Southwest station were patrolling Temecula on Saturday around 1 p.m. when they observed a large group of motorcyclists on Rancho California and Diaz Roads, the department said.
The group allegedly blocked vehicle traffic preventing other motorists from traveling along the roadway.
The motorcyclists then proceeded toward the southbound Temecula Valley (15) Freeway on-ramp, allegedly failing to yield against a solid red light and merging onto the freeway.
Deputies attempted a traffic enforcement stop, but the suspects allegedly failed to yield and accelerated away from deputies, initiating a short pursuit that ended on the shoulder of the freeway, north of Rainbow Valley Boulevard.
Additional deputies and officers from the California Highway Patrol, Murrieta Police Department and Riverside County’s Gang Task Force Region 3 responded due to the number of motorcyclists who were stopped.
Two lanes of traffic were temporarily closed.
Six of the motorcyclists were arrested on suspicion of evading, two were arrested on suspicion of possession of a prohibited weapon, two others were arrested on possession of tear gas, one was arrested on suspicion of possession of a dirk or dagger, one was arrested on suspicion of being a convicted felon in possession of a loaded firearm, and one was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving and an outstanding misdemeanor warrant, authorities said.
All 13 were booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center.
Anyone with additional information about the suspects was encouraged to contact sheriff’s dispatch at 951-776-1099.