Crime & Safety

Police: DUI Driver, Passenger Arrested After Pursuit

The brief pursuit, which occurred early Sunday, started near Jefferson Avenue and Juniper Street, continuing to Los Alamos Road and Hancock Avenue, police said.

A Redlands man suspected of driving while drunk was arrested along with his passenger early Sunday after a brief pursuit, Murrieta police said today.

At 12:59 a.m. Sunday, officers saw the driver run through a stop sign at Jefferson Avenue and Juniper Street, allegedly going about 100 mph, according to Murrieta police Sgt. Daryl Underwood.

The vehicle turned eastbound onto Los Alamos Road and eventually slowed to approximately 25 mph, the sergeant said.

Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

An officer attempted to pull the driver over by using his overhead lights and siren, but the driver did not yield until he approached Hancock Avenue, according to Underwood.

"(The) driver was so intoxicated he thought he was in the City of La Habra," Underwood said.

Find out what's happening in Murrietawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The driver, 31-year-old Richard M. Roque, of Redlands, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and evading arrest.

His passenger, 35-year-old Tommy M. Ortega, also of Redlands, was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Both were taken to Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.

Officer Jones and Cpl. Whittington were credited with the arrests, according to Underwood.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.