Two Suspects Detained After Recycling Center Robbery and Freeway Pursuit on Interstate 15
MURRIETA, CA — Two individuals were taken into custody on May 7th following a physical assault and robbery at a local recycling center that led to a multi-city vehicle pursuit on Interstate 15.
Murrieta police officers initially responded to reports of a robbery at a recycling center located within the Ralph’s shopping center on Washington Avenue. According to investigators, two suspects assaulted an employee at the location, causing serious injuries, before fleeing the scene in a black Ford Expedition.
Shortly after the incident, a member of the public contacted 911 to report a reckless driver near Washington Avenue and Murrieta Valley High School. Officers identified the vehicle as the Ford Expedition involved in the robbery and attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the Interstate 15 freeway.
The driver failed to yield to officers, prompting the authorization of a vehicle pursuit. The suspects traveled northbound on Interstate 15 while the California Highway Patrol Air Operations helicopter, Air Five One, monitored the tracking from above. The suspect vehicle subsequently exited the freeway and traveled southbound on Temescal Canyon Road in the Lake Elsinore area.
To halt the vehicle, law enforcement authorized a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT). An officer made intentional contact with the Ford Expedition once traffic conditions permitted, stopping the vehicle. Both occupants were taken into custody without further incident, and no injuries were reported from the conclusion of the pursuit.
The driver, who was found to have an active felony warrant and narcotics in their possession, was arrested alongside the passenger. Both individuals were booked into the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center on multiple felony charges.
