A man who robbed a Corona business and then led police on a slow-speed pursuit that ended with him crashing in a storm channel was handed a two-year prison sentence Monday.
Michael Scott Brown, 54, pleaded guilty in August to two counts of robbery. In exchange for his admissions, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office dismissed one count of evading a peace officer and sentence-enhancing weapon allegations.
Superior Court Judge Helios Hernandez certified the terms of the plea agreement and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.
According to Corona police Sgt. Chad Fountain, Brown held up a USA Gas station in the 600 block of Sixth Street on the morning of last Feb. 1. The defendant pulled a bladed weapon on a clerk and patrons, demanding money, Fountain said.
He said the cash drawer was opened for Brown, who grabbed a handful of money — the amount was not disclosed — and fled the location in a compact sedan.
As patrol officers were gathering information about the holdup, a motorist reported a non-injury hit-and-run collision at the intersection of Sixth and Sherman Avenue, and the description of the hit-and-run driver and vehicle matched the person involved in the robbery, prompting officers to race to the scene, according to Fountain.
Officers caught up to Brown at Merrill and Third streets in downtown Corona, where a pursuit was initiated.
Fountain said the defendant drove about 30 mph, ignoring stop signs and lights. Brown eventually turned east onto Quarry Street and continued driving even as the street ended at a cul de sac fronting a concrete canal abutting Interstate 15.
According to police, Brown drove through a fence and into the dry channel, crashing into a wall, at which point he surrendered to officers.
He suffered minor injuries and was treated at Corona Regional Medical Center before being booked into jail.
Brown had no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.