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Coachella Man Accused Of Stealing Car From Dealership During Test Drive

INDIO (CBSLA.com) — A 32-year-old man suspected of stealing a car during a test drive and then leading authorities on a pursuit appeared in court on Friday.

Carlos Alberto Contreras of Coachella pleaded not guilty to charges of vehicle theft, evading arrest, eluding a pursuing peace officer, and driving with a suspended license.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Ronald L. Johnson ordered Contreras back to court on Oct. 7, and raised his bail to $215,000, according to City News Service.

The incident was reported about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at a Rancho Mirage dealership in the 69-800 block of Highway 111, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said in a statement.

The statement said the vehicle was subsequently located by a deputy and a pursuit ensued.

"The pursuit terminated in the area of Burr St. and Avenue 42, in the city of Indio, when the vehicle collided with a curb," according to the statement.

No one was hurt.

Authorities asked that anyone with information about this incident call the Palm Desert Sheriff's Station (760) 836-1600.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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