Murrieta Crime: Crime wave hits Murrieta, with robberies, stolen goods and a car chase
Car chase results in arrest, car accidents and injury to a child
Murrieta, California - On 10-6-08 at approximately 252pm, Murrieta Police Department Motorcycle Officer Frank Lavigne attempted to stop a driver of a van for a traffic infraction. The driver did not yield to the officer and sped off at a high rate of speed. Within seconds the driver ran a stop sign and was involved in a minor traffic collision at Alta Murrieta Drive and Whitewood Road.
The driver continued, driving away from the scene of the collision, and led officers in a pursuit that lasted approximately 12 minutes. During the pursuit the driver committed two additional minor traffic collisions at Rancho California Road and Interstate 15, and at Winchester Road and Jefferson Avenue. Speeds reached approximately 80 mph on the freeway and 60 mph on the city streets.
The pursuit terminated a Jefferson Avenue and Larchmont Lane. The driver was identified as 46 year old Kevin Ellis. A twelve year old boy was also found to be in the back of the van. Kevin Ellis was arrested for felony evading of police officers, felony child endangerment, drunk driving, hit-and-run traffic collisions, and a misdemeanor warrant. He was booked at the Southwest Detention Center.
The juvenile was treated for minor injuries at the hospital and released to his mother.
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Female teen robbed at gunpoint for Ipod
Murrieta, California - On 10/6/2008 at 837pm Officers from the Murrieta Police Department responded to a Robbery call in the 38000 block of Members Club Drive. Officers arrived and contacted the victim, an 18 year old female. The victim stated she was walking south on Members Club Drive when she was confronted by the male suspect, who was wearing a ski mask. The suspect pushed the victim to the ground. The suspect demanded the victim stay down on the ground.
The victim, wearing head phones, could not clearly hear what the suspect was asking her to do. At this point, the victim realized the suspect was pointing a black semi automatic handgun at her. The victim removed her I-Pod and the suspect grabbed it out of her hand. She told the suspect she was not carrying anything else of value. The suspect ran back to a waiting vehicle and entered the passenger side. The vehicle left the area towards Robert Trent Jones.
The Police Department believes anyone walking in the area on this night may have seen the suspect vehicle and/or the suspect described as follows:
Suspect #1: white or Hispanic male 20- 25 years old 5′7 140 lbs (thin build) wearing black hooded sweatshirt, black basketball shorts with white stripes on the bottom and a black ski mask
Suspect #2: Driver (no further description)
Suspect Vehicle: black 1990’s 4 door compact - unknown make and model
Anyone with information regarding this crime is encouraged to call the Murrieta Police Department Detective Bureau at 951-696-3615.
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Four Moreno Valley men arrested for selling stolen Nordstroms clothing at Murrieta In-N-Out
Murrieta, California - On 10/6/2008 at 638pm Officers from the Murrieta Police Department responded to the parking lot of the In-n-Out Burger regarding several males selling clothing from the trunk of their vehicle. Officers arrived and detained four males near a 4 door Honda Civic. The investigation revealed over $2,000 worth of stolen Nordstrom’s clothing was in the trunk of the Civic.
Security tags and price tags were still attached to the majority of the merchandise. Between the four males, sales of the stolen clothing had netted $250 cash prior to police arrival. Several people inquiring and/or purchasing the merchandise were released from the scene after a short detention. All 4 males were booked at the Southwest Jail for felony possession of stolen property.
The Police Department reminds the public, the City of Murrieta requires anyone selling items from a vehicle in a public place to have a valid business license, as well as a solicitation permit. The practice of selling merchandise from the trunk of a vehicle frequently involves stolen property and a call to the Police Department to verify the activity is legal is encouraged. The Police Department’s non emergency number is 951-696-3615.