Suspected Car Thief Leads Officers on 50-mile Chase

A suspected car thief led police on a pursuit Thursday that began in Orange County and ended with a crash in neighboring Riverside County.

The man, whose identity was not immediately available, allegedly stole a white pickup truck and was pursued by Irvine police officers into Riverside County around 1:30 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

“Irvine PD turned the pursuit over to us when he crossed into our area,” CHP Officer Travis Monks said.

The suspect went north on Interstate 15 and then east on the Pomona (60) Freeway, briefly going into the city of Jurupa Valley via Valley Way and Rubidoux Boulevard before returning to the freeway and heading into Moreno Valley.

The suspect veered off the freeway and stopped under a tree at Gilman Springs Road, where he was taken into custody.