An 18-year-old Indio man and a juvenile were arrested on Thursday after Desert Hot Springs Police say they found loaded firearms and an AR-15 in their possession during a traffic stop.
According to Chief Dale Mondary, the Desert Hot Springs Detective Bureau was conducting a saturation patrol detail because of an increase in reported shootings in the city. Detectives conducted a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle near Desert View and Cuando Way. Police say the passenger, identified as Johnny Soriano fled from the vehicle carrying a large bag containing three loaded firearms and a loaded AR-15 rifle.
Soriano dropped the rifle during the chase and eventually surrendered to law enforcement.
Investigators determined that Soriano was the suspect in two recent shootings which occurred on on April 22 and 24 in Desert Hot Springs. He was arrested on numerous weapons offenses.
A juvenile was also arrested on weapons charges.
The Gang Task Force is assisting with this investigation to determine if Gang Enhancement charges are applicable. Both suspects are residents of Indio.
