A woman who apparently mistook police for federal immigration officers was arrested Monday after she almost hit officers with her vehicle in Desert Hot Springs, police said.
The woman, whose name was not released, was taken into custody on suspicion of reckless driving, driving without a valid driver’s license and misdemeanor evading, according to the Desert Hot Springs Police Department.
Police said officers were conducting compliance checks on registered sex offenders and parolees under supervision for violent sex crimes Monday.
The woman was behind the wheel of a vehicle and apparently taking photos or videos of what she believed were federal immigration agents, and she “drove recklessly and came close to striking investigators with her vehicle,” police said.
Detectives attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver failed to yield and instead drove to the police department, where she was taken into custody.
“When emergency lights are activated, drivers are required to safely yield and stop. Reckless driving and failure to yield place everyone at risk and can result in criminal charges,” the department wrote on social media.