SAN DIMAS — Two Inland Empire men were behind bars Saturday after nearly striking a sheriff’s volunteer while fleeing from a sobriety checkpoint in a car containing heroin and a handgun, authorities said.
Oscar Gonzales, 36, of Ontario was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, gun charges and possession of heroin for sale following the incident, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. David Vega said. Jesse Corona, 32, of Pomona was booked on suspicion of gun charges and possession of heroin for sale.
Gonzales was driving a 2013 Chevrolet Impala with Corona as a passenger about 11:10 p.m. Friday when they passed through a checkpoint being conducted by sheriff’s deputies and volunteers at Arrow Highway and Valley Center Drive, on the border between San Dimas and Glendora, the lieutenant said.
As a deputy approached the car and began talking to Gonzales, he was uncooperative and ultimately darted out of the checkpoint lane and sped away, nearly striking a sheriff’s volunteer, Vega said.
Deputies scrambled to get into their patrol cars and catch up with the Impala as it headed into Glendora, he said.
Gonzales and Corona abandoned the car in the 500 block of Essex Avenue and continued fleeing on foot, Vega said. A handgun, ammunition and heroin were found inside the car.
Deputies set up a search perimeter and arrested the two suspects shortly after midnight, according to sheriff’s officials and county booking records.
Gonzales was being held without bail pending a scheduled arraignment Tuesday in Pomona Superior Court, while Corona was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail pending his initial court date, scheduled for Monday in Pomona Superior Court.