A 26-year-old man suspected of stalking his ex-girlfriend at her Menifee home in violation of a restraining order, then fleeing from law enforcement officers when they tried to stop him, was out of custody Tuesday after posting a $50,000 bond.
Joe Marcos Felix Jr. of Menifee was arrested and booked into the Byrd Detention Center Friday on suspicion of battery on a domestic partner, violating a domestic violence restraining order, domestic violence, vandalism and felony evading.
Felix posted bail Sunday night and was released from the Murrieta jail.
According to the Menifee Police Department, shortly after 8 a.m. Friday, officers received word the suspect was at his ex-girlfriend’s property in the 29000 block of Peacock Mountain Drive and possibly armed.
Officers were aware he had an active restraining order against him, as well as a related warrant, but by the time they reached the residence, he was gone, Lt. Denise Keith said.
She said that a Riverside County sheriff’s helicopter crew was alerted that he was in the area, prompting the crew to initiate a search. Felix’s vehicle was quickly spotted, and a Menifee police investigator in an unmarked unit began tailing him westbound on Newport Road, heading toward Lake Elsinore, according to Keith.
With assistance from sheriff’s deputies, the Menifee officer tried to stop Felix, but he allegedly floored his vehicle, the lieutenant said.
The suspect turned around and headed back in the direction of the woman’s home. Using “stop sticks,” similar to a spike strip, peace officers were able to disable the vehicle, bringing the chase to an abrupt halt, Keith said.
No one was injured, including the woman, whose identity was not disclosed.
Background information on Felix was unavailable.