On Monday, 12/10/12, at about 9:50pm, Hemet Police Officer Dean Benjamin saw a Black 1997 Honda Civic in the area of Inez Street and Latham Avenue. A check of the Honda's license plate alerted officers that the vehicle had been recently stolen out of Menifee. Additional Hemet Police officers began converging on the area.
The officers activated emergency lights in attempt to conduct a traffic stop but the driver did not yield and accelerated away. The Honda went through several more stop signs and a pursuit was initiated. The vehicle traveled at a high rate of speed to westbound Menlo Avenue.
With lights and sirens blaring, the suspect driver sideswiped another vehicle in the 2400 block of W. Menlo Avenue. Following this minor collision, the suspect over-corrected, struck the curb, rolled over, and struck a Verizon utility pole near the intersection of Menlo and Palm.
The suspect driver was able to exit the Honda on his own and was taken into custody without further incident. The driver was transported to the hospital and will be booked into jail following any needed treatment.
The driver of the sideswiped vehicle was not injured. The entire pursuit lasted about one minute and covered just over one mile.
Arrested: Anthony Fleming, 21 Years, from Hemet.
Charges: Possession of Stolen Vehicle, Felony Evading, and DUI.