12/05/16 Wildomar, CA – Felon On Parole Steals Riverside Co. Deputy’s Patrol Car From Medical Center – After Pursuit, Suspect Taken Into Custody

December 5, 2016

kesq.com

A felon on parole was arrested over the weekend for allegedly stealing a Riverside County sheriff deputy’s patrol car in Wildomar and leading authorities on a brief pursuit.

Deputies said 31-year-old Alvin Smith Jr. was booked into the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta early Saturday morning.

According to the sheriff’s release, the deputy parked the vehicle at the Inland Valley Medical Center, located in the 36400 block of Inland Valley Drive, at about 2:40 a.m. The deputy locked the vehicle in the parking lot while he was picking up medical treatment for an arrestee.

The patrol car was stolen but deputies found it in the area. After a brief pursuit, Smith was taken into custody. The circumstances surrounding the car theft are still under investigation.

According to jail records, Smith is being charged with multiple felonies; taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, evading police officers/reckless driving, being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of ammo by a felon and violating state parole.

The suspect is being held on no bail and is due in court at the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center on Wednesday.