News Releases

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that his office has charged a Palmdale man with leading sheriff deputies on a pursuit and other charges.

Andres Benjamin Cachu (dob 5/15/97) of Palmdale faces one felony count each of fleeing a pursuing peace officer’s motor vehicle and driving against traffic, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a controlled substance with a firearm as well as two counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance, methamphetamine and cocaine.

Case MA083555 also charges Cachu with one misdemeanor count each of possession of cannabis for sale and driving under the influence of a drug. It also includes allegations that Cachu was previously convicted as a minor.

Arraignment is scheduled today in Department A01 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Palmdale Branch.

On July 19th, the defendant was reportedly observed by deputies asleep slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle. They attempted to awaken Cachu by knocking on his window and were successful in their attempt. When he awakened, the deputies said he appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. They also allegedly observed a firearm in his waistband.

Cachu is charged with attempting to flee deputies in his vehicle until he drove into a curb and ultimately surrendered.

 “We are disappointed to learn that Mr. Cachu has not availed himself of the support that he so clearly needs, grateful that no physical harm came to anyone, and are committed to holding him accountable as an adult in this case,” said District Attorney Gascón. “There have been questions about a prior case involving Mr. Cachu, where he was sentenced as a juvenile. As California law requires, our office reviewed  Mr. Cachu's original case, where he had been sentenced as an adult despite committing the crime as a minor. Based upon the facts of the case and the individual characteristics of Mr. Cachu we determined that we would not likely prevail in a transfer hearing because we could not prove that he would not have benefited from juvenile resources at the time of the original offense – again, as the law requires. We asked the court to remand Mr. Cachu to the Department of Juvenile Justice and that request was denied. We are frustrated to see that he is struggling, and again, will hold him accountable for the charged offenses.”

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.