A Las Vegas man already in jail on suspected DUI and felony evading officers for allegedly leading CHP on a chase through Temecula may face kidnapping charges as well.
James Ryan Hoffmann, 27, was taken into custody Thursday after allegedly leading California Highway Patrol officers on a chase through Temecula.
Investigators determined that in the vehicle were two men to whom he had offered a ride and a woman.
A 42-year-old man from Murrieta and a 54-year-old man from San Marcos had just accepted a ride from Hoffmann, according to Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Curt Harris.
"During the pursuit, the two males repeatedly tried to convince Hoffmann to stop," Harris said.
A woman who was in the vehicle was questioned and released at the scene, Harris said.
Hoffmann on Friday remained behind bars in lieu of $100,000 bail.
The chase began when California Highway Patrol officers Ron Thatcher and Joe Sandoval spotted a 2003 Jeep Cherokee weaving ahead of them on Ynez Road about 2 a.m. Thursday, a CHP spokesperson said.
The patrolling officers initiated a traffic stop, using the cruiser's emergency lights, according to CHP Officer Nathan Baer.
The driver pulled into the Tower Plaza shopping center—on Ynez, near Rancho California Road—Baer said.
Without warning, however, the suspect sped away, the Jeep jumping curbs and raised islands, Baer said.
The Jeep went back onto Ynez Road, speeding south at nearly 90 mph, until it got to De Portola Road, Baer said.
The Jeep passed Margarita Road and the driver then turned around and rushed into the raised center median, damaging the left front wheel, Baer said.
The driver headed north but the vehicle jumped of the center divider and was disabled.
The officers detained the driver and his three passengers but they were later released and only Hoffmann was arrested without further incident, Baer said.
