A grand theft suspect died after crashing his sedan into a building during a police raid in the Inland Empire on Wednesday, during which law enforcement attempted to “catch up” on his car, authorities announced.
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Said the suspect is probably dead He suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Authorities have not identified the driver or provided any additional details, including his age.
The department did not immediately respond to an email requesting additional comment.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, after deputies from the Jurupa Valley Station tried to conduct a traffic stop, the suspect continued to elude law enforcement for more than an hour, stopping at times. Deputies were told the suspect was armed.
Just before 3:30 p.m., the Riverside Sheriff’s K-9 unit sped up behind the suspect’s vehicle fleeing into Jurupa Valley and deployed the Grappler, a mesh system that works by entangling itself around the rear wheels and axle and is intended to slow the vehicle to a stop.
After the first failed attempt, the police SUV again came under the vehicle’s feet as it appeared to be detonating the wrestler.
However, the system did not stop the fleeing suspect, who went out of control after being tapped by the wrestler, and crossed three lanes of traffic before crashing into a wall on Antigua Drive. for television footage. The sheriff’s deputy also lost control of that vehicle during the pursuit, but did not crash.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, the suspect initially survived the crash and refused to exit his vehicle and the Riverside Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiation Team responded to the incident.
Various deputies tried to remove the suspect, including breaking windows and throwing several rounds of substance, as seen in television footage.
Deputies pulled the deceased suspect out of the vehicle.
Deputies said they first saw the suspect just after 2 a.m. near Patts Ranch Road and Limonite Avenue in Jurupa Valley.
The suspect escaped initial contact with deputies before capturing him at Limonite Avenue and Van Buren Boulevard.
According to the Sheriff’s Department, they attempted to stop the suspect, but he sped away.
The suspect continued driving through town, eventually stopping in front of Jurupa Valley High School. secondary school Was put on lockdown for some time before the chase continues.
wrestler system It was invented by a Peoria, Ariz., entrepreneur and was first employed by the Phoenix Police Department.
Riverside County Sheriff’s Lt. Jason Santisteven informed The Times in an earlier interview that the Riverside Sheriff’s Department is the first department in California to use the device.
The system has been installed on the sheriff’s K-9 units – 10 are being used and the number is expected to increase to 16 by the end of July, Santisteven said.
