Victim chased suspected burglars in Calimesa

Two men from Yucaipa were arrested Wednesday after trying to evade a man they stole property from in Calimesa.

According to the San Bernadino County Sheriff’s Department, 46-year-old John Crawford and Luis Teran, 25, burglarized a property in the 36000 block of Selrocco Drive.

Deputies said the victim’s property had been burglarized Tuesday night, and several times in the past month. The victims spotted a pickup truck driving on their land Wednesday and tried to talk to the driver.

The driver of the pickup, Crawford, began driving erratically through Calimesa when the victims started chasing him in their vehicle. Crawford drove his truck into the victim’s car near Grant Street and County Line Road, and sped off toward the Mentone area, according to police.

The next time Crawford stopped, at Mill Creek Road near Bryant Avenue, the other suspect, Luis Teran, got out of the truck with a hammer and approached the victim’s vehicle.

At that time, the victim, fearing for his own safety, drove into Teran causing him to hit the windshield before falling to the street, authorities said. Crawford once again drove off in the truck, by himself now, and San Bernadino County sheriff’s deputies arrested him in the 2700 block of Mill Creek Road in Mentone.

Deputies discovered numerous stolen items in the bed of the pickup, including tools, which had been taken from the victim’s property.

Crawford and Teran were arrested for possession of stolen property, assault with a deadly weapon, witness intimidation and conspiracy. They were booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility.

Authorities said Teran was treated at the hospital before being arrested.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the case.