Suspect Arrested In Crash At OC Social Services Building

ORANGE (CBS) — A suspect was in custody on Tuesday after a vehicle crashed into a social services building in the city of Orange.

CBS2's Kara Finnstrom reports the crash caused both a bomb scare and a hazardous materials scare on Monday night.

The suspect is also believed to be responsible for a second hit-and-run in another part of town, Orange County Sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino said.

Jesus Torres, Jr., 36, has a history of domestic violence and vandalism, according to Amormino.

Torres is believed to have previously visited the social services building at 840 N. Eckhoff Street because of his domestic violence record.

Detectives said just before 7:30 p.m. on Monday night Torres' green SUV slammed into the building. Torres then reportedly entered the building, left a suspicious package containing an unknown clear liquid, returned to his vehicle and fled.

Bomb squad and hazardous materials crews evacuated the building but later determined the liquid to be a non-hazardous mineral oil.

Amormino said deputies were able to capture the suspect thanks largely to eyewitness reports.

"In this incident, witnesses were able to provide law enforcement with a partial [license] plate of the suspect's vehicle," said Amormino.

The suspect reportedly drove a short distance and rammed his car into another building, at which point sheriff's deputies were able to get a full license plate number and tracked the suspect to his residence.

Torres was placed under arrest as he was sitting in his vehicle in front of his home, Amormino said.

He could face a variety of charges, including burglary and felony vandalism.