Suspect Escapes, Re-arrested with the Help of a Bystander

A suspect took advantage of a Riverside County Sheriff Department escort.

Deputies say at 2:30p.m. Monday, 20 year-old Jaime Mongina pushed a Community Service Officer and ran away.

A bystander saw the whole thing and tackled Mongina to the ground.

Mongina was arrested Monday morning for shoplifting. While trying to get away he scraped his his head. Deputies took him to JFK Hospital in Indio to get checked out. When doctors released him the officer went to the hospital to transport him to jail.

Sgt. John Hignight with The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department says, “On occasion it does happen, they spin away from you, get away and then we catch them and take them back into custody.” Communiy Serivce Officers are not sworn deputies and are not armed.

They are used for low-risk transfers according the Sheriff’s Department.