Convicted Felon Steals Police Car after Foot Chase
A Hemet man is in custody today after fleeing from police on foot and then stealing a police car.
On Tuesday February 11, 2014, at about 10:13 am, the City of Hemet Police Dispatch Center received a call of a theft that had just occurred at a store in the 1100 block of S. Sanderson Ave. The victim was able to provide dispatch with a description of the suspect. The victim also advised dispatch that the suspect had left his identification at the scene.
The first responding officer located the suspect in the 2300 block of W. Stetson Ave. and attempted to detain him. The suspect refused to comply with the officer’s commands and fled east on Stetson Ave. A second Hemet Police Officer arrived on scene from west bound Stetson Ave, and quickly exited his unit attempting to apprehend the suspect. The suspect changed directions and ran north jumping over fences, into a residential neighborhood. Both officers chased the suspect into the neighborhood, leaving their patrol units unattended. The officers lost sight of the suspect and began to coordinate a perimeter with incoming police units. As additional police units were responding, dispatch received a call from a citizen who saw the suspect get into one of the officers’ vehicle and drive away east on Stetson Ave. The GPS was activated on the stolen police car and it was tracked south on State St. to west on Domenigoni Pkwy. Hemet Police units diverted to attempt to catch up to the stolen unit and mutual aid was requested from surrounding police agencies.
The stolen unit was tracked west on Domenigoni to Newport Rd., where it got onto the 215 Freeway, heading north. Ultimately, the suspect exited the freeway and lost control of the unit in the area of Bradley St., south of McCall Blvd. The vehicle struck a curb which caused it to become disabled. The suspect fled from the unit on foot and was taken into custody a short distance away by CHP and Hemet Police officers after a brief physical confrontation. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Dept. air unit provided aerial support.
No civilians were injured during the incident and there are no outstanding suspects or equipment.
Arrested: David Hayes, 28 year old Hemet resident. On Parole for assault with a deadly weapon.
Charges: Theft of an emergency vehicle, burglary, resisting arrest, and a parole violation.
Being held without bail.