A convicted felon accused of fleeing from Riverside police on a stolen motorcycle while carrying methamphetamine that he tossed during the pursuit was being held without bail Monday.
Ryan Allan Sorlien, 35, of Riverside was booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on Sunday night on suspicion of receiving stolen property, felony evading, possession of a controlled substance and probation violations.
According to Riverside police, a patrol officer spotted the suspect commit an alleged traffic violation on Van Buren Boulevard, near the Riverside (91) Freeway, about 11:25 p.m. Sunday. The officer tried to signal him to stop, but the “rider accelerated at a high rate of speed, and a pursuit was initiated,” according to a police statement.
A police helicopter crew was summoned to track the suspect as he sped northeast along city streets, allegedly discarding items — which turned out to be packets of meth — in the process, according to police. Sorlien stopped after a few minutes at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and Washington Street, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
The motorcycle was confirmed stolen out of Oceanside, investigators said.
According to court records, Sorlien has prior convictions for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and driving on a suspended license.
–City News Service