SAN BERNARDINO – A 23-year-old man whose car was being repossessed attacked the tow truck driver and eventually led San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies on a 10-mile high speed pursuit.
Daniel Aviles, of San Bernardino, was finally taken into custody on Tuesday, having carjacked the vehicle that was being repossessed by a local finance company for failure to make payments, said deputies.
When the two truck driver arrived to take possession of the car on the 24700 block of 5th Street, an unincorporated area of San Bernardino, Aviles confronted him and demanded he release the car from the tow hitch.
Deputies, indicating that it was a lawful tow, said the unidentified tow truck driver refused to release the car.
Aviles, according to reports, jumped inside the car and tried to drive it off the hitch. When he was unsuccessful, Aviles released the car from the tow truck strap device, telling the tow truck driver he had a gun, threatening to “shoot” him if he tried to stop him.
Aviles fled the scene in the car shortly before midnight.
Deputies from the Central Station were able to track the car by using a GPS device that had been placed on the car by the tow truck driver. They tracked him to the westbound Interstate 10, in nearby Bloomington, spotted by an aviation unit on the freeway.
Ground patrols were directed to Aviles as he exited on Cedar Avenue in Bloomington.
Police chased Aviles, who drove on the wrong side of the road at speeds measured over 100 mph, failing to stop at light-controlled intersections, eventually turning back into his San Bernardino neighborhood, fleeing on foot.
Deputies found Aviles, who was identified by the tow truck driver, hiding inside his apartment, where he was taken into custody on charges of carjacking and felony evading.
There has been no indication on when Aviles is scheduled to appear in court.
