Deputies arrested two car theft suspects who fled after ramming a Riverside County sheriff’s deputy’s patrol vehicle in Wildomar, prompting the deputy to fire shots at them.
The two men were arrested at 4:51 p.m. Sunday in the Temecula area, said sheriff’s Sgt. Deirdre Vickers.
“Deputies attempted a vehicle stop, but the vehicle failed to yield, and a pursuit was initiated.,” Vickers said. “The suspects ran from the vehicle but were later taken into custody without incident.”
One suspect had injuries consistent with the shooting by the deputy and was taken to a hospital for treatment, she said. The suspects’ names were not immediately released.
At 1:09 p.m. Sunday, a deputy assigned to the sheriff’s Lake Elsinore station located a stolen vehicle in the area of Cervera Road and Prairie Road in Wildomar, Vickers said.
“The deputy attempted a vehicle stop; however, the suspect failed to follow commands,” she said. “The suspect vehicle made a U-turn and intentionally drove into the driver’s side door of the deputy’s vehicle, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. The deputy’s vehicle became disabled as a result of the collision.”
Sheriff’s officials said the two occupants of the suspected stolen vehicle ran northbound on Prairie Road toward Cervera Road, entered a silver Chevy Impala and fled the scene.
The deputy suffered minor injuries, officials said.
The deputy who fired the shots, who was not identified, will be placed on paid administrative leave, according to department policy.
Anyone with information regarding the incident was encouraged to contact Riverside County Senior District Attorney Investigator Eric Crosson or Sheriff’s Master Investigator James Dickey at 951-955-2777.