Victim in Temecula Robbery Chases Suspects to Murrieta

A Murrieta man suspected in an armed robbery in Temecula was chased by the victim to Murrieta Monday night before crashing into an embankment, according to police.

The alleged robbery was reported at about 8:17 p.m. in the parking lot of , according to a news release issued Tuesday by Temecula police Sgt. Jon Wade.

The victim told responding officers he had just been robbed at gunpoint by two men, Wade said.

"The victim followed the suspects and called 911 as he followed the suspects into the city of Murrieta," Wade said.

The suspect, later identified as Eduardo Torres, 20, of Murrieta eventually lost control of the car and crashed into an embankment, the sergeant said.

Temecula officers subsequently located the second suspect, Johnny Nie, 20, also of Murrieta, at his residence, Wade said.

Both were booked at Southwest Detention Center; Torres on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon and probation violation, and Nie on suspicion of robbery, conspiracy and probation violation.

Both were being held on $30,000 bail and were due in court Thursday, according to sheriff's jail records.

The robbery victim was not injured in the incident, Wade said.

"California Highway Patrol responded and assisted with the traffic collision investigation," Wade said.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information regarding the case was encouraged to call the Temecula Police Department at 951-696-3000.