Suspect sought for firing at San Jacinto police

Authorities sought the public’s help in locating a suspected carjacker who allegedly fired several rounds into a patrol car during a vehicle pursuit in San Jacinto.

The police officer inside the car was not hurt. Several rounds pierced the patrol vehicle causing it became immobilized, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

At about 9:15 p.m. Saturday, the San Jacinto police officer was alerted by a citizen in the 1200 block of De Anza of a suspect who brandished a firearm at him, police say.

The officer attempted a vehicle stop, and when the vehicle did not stop, another officer radioed him to report that the suspect’s vehicle matched the description of an earlier carjacking vehicle, according to the statement.

During the pursuit, the suspect, who was allegedly armed with a high-powered assault rifle, fired several rounds into a patrol car, immobilizing it, according to the news statement. The suspect then drove away and struck a house two blocks way on Savory Road. It was not immediately known if anyone in that home was injured.

The suspect ran away from the scene and was able to escape officers. A weapon similar to the one used in the shooting was found in the rear yard of the residence, near the traffic crash.

The suspect was described as only a man in his 20s.

Anyone with any information regarding the suspect was asked to call the sheriff’s Hemet station at (951) 791-3400.