Police: Murrieta Traffic Stop Leads to Attempted Carjacking, Injuries

Editor's Note: This post was updated at 7:28 p.m. May 16 with more background information about the pair arrested during Tuesday's traffic stop.

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Two people were arrested following a traffic stop Tuesday in Murrieta during which one of the suspects allegedly ran from police and attempted to carjack a passing motorist, resulting in injuries to himself and an officer, according to a news release.

Murrieta police officers directed the car to pull over at about 4 p.m. Tuesday at Juniper Street and Madison Avenue. Four people were in the car that had just left the Kohl’s parking lot, Murrieta police Sgt. Don Weller stated.

During the traffic stop, the driver, 58-year-old San Diego resident Lydia VanHorn, was allegedly found in possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.

As the suspected drugs were discovered, a man who was riding in the left rear passenger seat allegedly exited the car and ran from police.

The suspect—later identified as Patrick Kirk, 22, of Wildomar—allegedly ran into traffic, across Madison Avenue and attempted to open the driver's side door to a car that was stopped in the number one lane of northbound traffic.

“It appeared to the officers giving chase that the suspect was attempting to ‘carjack’ this vehicle,” Weller wrote. “Luckily, the door was locked and the suspect continued northbound across the lanes of traffic.”

An officer with a police dog caught up with Kirk in the 24700 block of Madison.

“During the apprehension, the suspect was physically assaulting the police service canine and was resisting arrest,” Weller wrote. “He was ultimately restrained and placed in handcuffs without further incident.”

Kirk was arrested on suspicion of assault on a police officer, assault on a police service canine, possession of a counterfeit currency, violation of probation and for two outstanding warrants for his arrest.

He was taken to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries and then transported to Southwest Detention Center, according to Weller.

As of Thursday, records show Kirk was being held in lieu of $25,000 bail, and that he had entered a not guilty plea during a court arraignment.

According to court records, Kirk has prior misdemeanor convictions for theft and fraud, for which he received three years probation in 2010. He had outstanding warrants in connection with separate cases in which he's charged with obstructing a peace officer, shoplifting and burglary.

The K-9 officer, who suffered injuries during the altercation, was also taken to a hospital, treated and released.

VanHorn, who was on probation when she was arrested, was being held on no bail at Robert Presley Detention Center as of Thursday, jail records show.

She pleaded guilty during her arraignment today and was sentenced to three years probation and compulsory attendance in a drug counseling program.

The other two people in the car were interviewed and released at the scene Tuesday afternoon, according to Weller.

Police as of Thursday were still seeking to identify the driver of the car that Kirk allegedly tried to carjack.

The possible victim's car was described as a small passenger vehicle of unknown make, model or color.

“It was a fluid situation,” said Murrieta police Sgt. Dave Baca, when reached by phone Thursday. “We observed what the suspect was doing—trying to get into a moving vehicle while somebody was driving—but the victim didn’t wait to give a statement.”

Though the suspect was not armed, Baca said the alleged use of "force or fear" categorizes the incident as an attempted carjacking.

Officers would like to speak with the victim, and asked anyone with information to call the on-duty watch commander at 951-696-3615. Information may also be provided anonymously through "We Tip" by calling 1-800-78-CRIME.  

—City News Service contributed to this report.