Man Allegedly Steals Patio Sets, Leads Police on Chase

A Murrieta man accused of stealing patio furniture from a grocery store and then leading police on a chase was behind bars today and his car impounded.

Dirk Hull, 53, was taken into custody at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday after a 40 mph pursuit from to his residence on 4th Avenue, Murrieta police Sgt. Robert Anderson said in a news release.

The sergeant said police received a call from Ralphs at about 9:38 a.m. A store manager reported two sets of patio furniture on display in front of the store were taken, Anderson said.

"The manager was able to view surveillance video which showed the suspect and suspect vehicle," Anderson said.

As Murrieta police Officer Stotts was on scene reviewing the video, Anderson said the manager saw what looked like the car in question at the gas pumps across the parking lot.

Stotts then turned on his overhead lights and pulled behind the car. Hull initially stopped at Washington and Jerry Allen, but allegedly drove off as Stotts got out of his car to approach him, Anderson said.

Stotts pursued Hull at 40 mph until Hull pulled into his driveway in the 24000 block of 4th Avenue, where he was taken into custody without incident, Anderson said.

"Two sets of stolen patio furniture, identical to what was seen on the video, were in the backyard of Hull's residence," Anderson said.

Hull told officers he was driving on a suspended license, which resulted in his car being impounded. He also told officers he was out on bail for another crime.

Hull was booked into Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of grand theft, failure to yield, committing crime while out on bail and probation violation.

Anderson said they were able to get statements from two witnesses, who said they saw Hull fail to yield to the officer.

The patio furniture, valued at more than $1,200, was returned to Ralphs, he said.

Hull was pending trial for a November 2011 incident in which he allegedly made criminal threats and brandished a firearm. At the time, he was a felon who was not allowed to possess or discharge firearms, court records showed.