Man Allegedly Steals Riverside Police Cruiser During Foot Pursuit

RIVERSIDE (CBSLA.com) — A man accused of leading a Riverside officer on a foot chase and allegedly taking a police cruiser in the process remained at large, police said Sunday.

Riverside police Sgt. Dan Russell said in a department statement that the suspect described as a white or Hispanic male abandoned the squad car in Jurupa Valley.

According to the statement, the incident began about 12:39 a.m. when a police officer attempted a traffic stop on Houghton Avenue north on Pine Street.

Rather than yielding, the statement says, the suspect drove over a sidewalk before bolting. A foot pursuit subsequently ensued but authorities say the man somehow returned to the original location and drove off in the police vehicle.

"As the suspect was attempting to flee in the police vehicle an officer involved shooting occurred," the statement said. No one was hurt.

The suspect is believed to be in his early twenties. He has short spiky black hair, is medium build, and is between 5-feet, 8-inches tall and 6-feet.

An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with more information about the case is asked to contact detectives Dave Smith at (951) 353-7103 or Greg Rowe at (951) 353-7136.