A grand theft auto suspect who led law enforcement on a pursuit in the Inland Empire on Wednesday crashed into a wall near a Jurupa Valley high school after authorities unsuccessfully used a device to try to end the chase.
The crash was reported some time before 3:30 p.m. near the intersection of Bellegrave Avenue and Avenidas del Ranchos after law enforcement used a tool known as a “grappler police bumper” to terminate the pursuit. Authorities used the device after the driver, who was described as a parolee, took off after a 15-minute standoff.
The chase started just after 2 p.m. after the driver was spotted in a stolen vehicle on Limonite Avenue and Pats Ranch Road, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. During the pursuit, deputies received information that the driver was armed with a handgun.
While leading deputies on the pursuit, the driver stopped near Jurupa Valley High School and refused to exit the vehicle. After a 15 minute-standoff, the driver took off again and the grappler tool was deployed.
The device ended up causing the pursuit driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a wall. The driver remained inside the vehicle after the crash; deputies were trying to determine if the driver refused to exit the vehicle or if they were unconscious.