Reply #3: Calf. more info [View All]

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=7829169&nav=menu191_2



Four people are being questioned in the theft of a ballot box last night in Thermal.

According to authorities, the victim said four or five men riding in a white Ford Thuderbird drove up to the victim's vehicle as she was about to load her trunk with the ballot box just outside at the Jerry Rummonds Memorial Youth Center in the 87-200 block of Church St. around 9:45 p.m.

The suspects took the box and several contents inside the vehicle away from the poll worker and, then, sped off.

News Channel 3 has learned that some 123 ballots were in the stolen box.

About 25 minutes passed and an agent from the United States Border Patrol stopped a vehicle matching the description at Avenue 62 and Gene Wilmas Road in Mecca.

Investigators from the Indio Sheriff Station responded to Border Patrol's location and were able to identify the four occupants of the vehicle to be the same suspects in the theft. With the assistance of the USBP, Indio investigators were able to locate an apartment complex where the stolen property was taken and most of the stolen property was recovered.

Arrested were Rafael Murua (age 19 of Mecca), Benjamin Pimental (age 19 of North Shore), and two male juveniles. Murua and Pimental were booked into the Indio Jail for Grand Theft. The two juveniles were booked into the Indio Juvenile Hall and booked for Grand Theft.

According to the County of Riverside Registrar of Voter's Office, there were no voted ballots stolen during the incident. All voted ballots are accounted for.

Stay with News Channel 3 and KESQ.com for the latest on this developing story.