Alleged Carjacker Dies Following Scuffle With Sheriff's Deputies

The suspect involved in several alleged carjackings last week has been pronounced dead, police are reporting.

The suspect, whose identity has not been released by authorities, died at a local hospital today, according to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, and followed a scuffle with deputies.

In the early morning hours of Aug. 22, the Ramona Expressway in Perris was shut down due to police activity. It began shortly after midnight when deputies responded to several reports of a carjacking in progress in the area of Ramona Expressway and Indian Avenue.

“Officers arrived on scene within minutes and located the suspect running in the roadway at the intersection of Ramona Expressway and Indian Avenue. The suspect refused to comply with the officers and fought with them,” according to a news release issued by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

After deputies struggled with the suspect, he was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for medical attention, according to the news release.

Police never released the extent of any injuries the suspect may have received during the fracas.

According to the news release, the suspect was linked to two other attempted carjackings.  

Both the Perris Police Department and the Central Homicide Unit were at the investigation scene. When Patch asked why CHU was called out, police did not respond.

The Ramona Expressway shutdown lasted for nearly 10 hours.

—Toni McAllister