Police Looking For Car Theft Suspect

A suspect driving a stolen car crashed into a fence and eluded Murrieta police officers and Riverside County Sheriff's deputies in a two-hour search early Wednesday, police said.

Officers got a call at about 1:46 a.m. Wednesday that a car had just been stolen in the 40000 block of Jaylene Street in Murrieta, said Lt. Tony Conrad.

One of the owners of the vehicle, which was a black 1991 Acura Integra, was following the vehicle. Officers couldn't communicate with owner, however, because he didn't have a cell phone.

Conrad said the stolen car was spotted 10 minutes later by an officer as it was being driven down Scott Road west of Interstate 215 in an unincorporated part of Menifee.

The driver made an abrupt turn into a driveway in the 27000 block of Scott Road, where he left the car and ran off, Conrad said. The car, however, did not stop completely and crashed into the perimeter fence of the property—causing minor damage to both the fence and the stolen vehicle, he said.

The suspect, who was driving alone, took off heading west on Scott Road, Conrad said. In an effort to locate the suspect, officers established a two-block perimeter with the help of sheriff's deputies.

"The Murrieta Police Department’s bloodhound was used in attempt to locate the suspect. Officers, deputies and the bloodhound searched the vicinity for (more than) two hours; the suspect was not located," Conrad said in a news release.

The suspect was described as a Hispanic male in his mid 20s, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. Conrad said there was a second vehicle seen traveling behind the suspect's vehicle that could potentially be related. That vehicle was described as an older maroon Chevrolet Caprice four-door. There was no information available on the occupant or occupants of the second vehicle.

Anyone with information regarding the auto theft can call the on-duty watch commander at 951-696-3615. Callers can also provide information anonymously through “We Tip” at 1-800-78-CRIME.