At a Nov. 16 incustody felony arraignment in Riverside Superior Court, Blythe local Aaron Michael Delatorre pled not guilty to alleged felony violations of Penal Code (PC) section 215(a), carjacking; PC section 245(a)(2), assault with a firearm (two counts); PC section 211, robbery; and Vehicle Code (VC) section 10851(a), taking vehicle without owner consent.
Delatorre, 29, was originally arrested on Nov. 12 following a reported robbery at a gas station in east Blythe and subsequent high-speed pursuit on Nov. 11 which ended in the Colorado River.
“On Friday (Nov. 11) night, at about 10 (p.m.,) Blythe Police Dispatch received several calls regarding a man with a gun in the area of East Hobsonway and North Intake Boulevard at a gas station. Officers arrived immediately and received reports from victims and witnesses. The suspect, later identified as Aaron Delatorre of Blythe, had robbed the gas station at gunpoint, struck a woman in the parking lot with the muzzle of a shotgun, and carjacked the woman’s vehicle,” stated BPD on Nov. 14. “While gathering information, Delatorre drove back to the gas station in the stolen truck. Officers at the scene approached Delatorre, who drove away at a high rate of speed. Because of the severity of the crimes committed and the danger to public safety, a vehicle pursuit was initiated and lasted several minutes.”
As further noted by BPD, the suspect sped off-road in the Five Points area before driving off an embankment into the Colorado River.
According to court documents obtained by the Times, the alleged VC section 10851(a) charge – taking vehicle without owner consent – is related to a brown 2012 Ford F-150.
The two felony charges of PC section 245(a)(2) – assault with a gun – are further noted to have been allegedly committed against two different individuals.
The PC section 211 charge – robbery – is alleged to have been committed against a third.
“Blythe Police Officers, with assistance by the California Highway Patrol and Blythe PD Drone Unit Members, took over an hour to safely remove Delatorre from the River. Delatorre, who had sustained serious injuries in the vehicle crash, was taken into custody without further incident. Due to his injuries, Delatorre, with officer escort, was air lifted to Desert Regional Hospital for treatment,” stated BPD. “On Saturday (Nov. 12), around 4 (p.m.), Delatorre was released from the hospital. The Palm Springs Police Department, through the law enforcement mutual aid agreement, transported Delatorre to the Indio Jail for violation of the following charges: (two) counts of Armed Robbery, Car Jacking, (B)randishing a Firearm, Stealing a Vehicle(,) Felon in Possession of a Firearm(,) Felony Evading, Possession of a (D)angerous Weapon.”
Jail information noted Delatorre was arrested by the Palm Springs Police Department on Nov. 12 at 3:50 p.m. with an arresting location of North Indian Canyon Drive.
“It is further alleged that the defendant, (Delatorre), was on or about April 30, 2019(,) in the Superior Court of the State of California, for the County of (Riverside,) convicted of the crime of ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON – STRIKE, a serious and violent felony, in violation of section 245(a)(1) ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON of the Penal Code, within the meaning of Penal Code sections 667, subdivisions © and (e)(1), and 1170.12, subdivisions ©(1),” noted the prosecuting Riverside County District Attorney’s filed complaint against Delatorre.
A provided booking photo shows a “Mama Tried” tattoo on Delatorre’s forehead.
“This case is still under investigation and no further information will be released at this time,” stated BPD. “Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Blythe Police Department at (760) 922-6111 or they can give their information anonymously by calling Crime Stop at (760) 921-CARE (2273).”
Delatorre – who remains in custody as of this print publication’s deadline – had bail set by the court on Nov. 16 at $135,000, with a scheduled court date of Nov. 22.
