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Suspected Car Thief Eludes Capture After Ramming Sheriff's Vehicle

JURUPA VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — Authorities said a suspected car thief eluded capture in Jurupa Valley Wednesday after hitting a Sheriff's patrol vehicle and fleeing on foot.

The suspect also crashed into a wall during the early-morning pursuit.

Deputies said they were unable to locate the suspect despite employing a helicopter and tracking dog.

The pursuit began around 12:15 a.m. in the area of Mintern Street and Mission Boulevard, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

A deputy reportedly ran the plates of a 1990 Honda Civic and the car came back as stolen, said sheriff's Sgt. Brandi Swan.

"Additional deputies responded to the scene and an attempt was made to pull the vehicle over," Swan said. "The driver refused to yield to the deputies' lights and sirens, deliberately hitting one deputy's patrol car in an attempt to flee the scene."

According to the sergeant, the suspect crashed into a wall behind a business in the 6100 block of Mission Boulevard. The suspect foot bailed and ran off in an unknown direction.

Deputies set up a perimeter and summoned a sheriff's helicopter crew and a K-9 unit, Swan said.

The suspect was described as Hispanic, in his late 20s, with black hair, a mustache and wearing a black baseball cap.

Anyone with information was urged to call the sheriff's Jurupa Valley station at (951) 955-2600.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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