A tense car chase erupted on the streets of Jurupa Valley last Tuesday when a Riverside Sheriff’s deputy got more than he bargained for during an attempted traffic stop. The mayhem began on Wineville Avenue and Limonite Avenue at 6:09 p.m. when the deputy attempted to pull over a vehicle, but instead of stopping, the driver led a high-speed pursuit.
In a daring bid to evade capture, the suspect veered off onto a dirt access road near 68th Street, west of Pats Ranch Road, and reportedly opened fire on the deputy, according to a statement from the Riverside Sheriff's Department. The assailant then made a hasty escape into the dense underbrush lining the Santa Ana river bottom after abandoning his vehicle. Despite the danger of the situation, the deputy involved miraculously escaped unharmed.
The Riverside Sheriff’s Department has since issued a public plea for assistance in the case. They have identified the suspect as Martin Perez, Jr., who they warn is armed and dangerous. His last known whereabouts fix him in San Bernardino, although his current location remains a mystery. Residents with any pertinent information are urged to immediately contact the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station Investigations Bureau.
The authorities have asked for vigilance among the community members and to avoid attempting to engage the suspect directly. They emphasized the importance of the public's role in providing information that might safely help bring Perez into custody. Those who can contribute to the investigation can call the Investigations Bureau at (951) 955-2654 and are asked to specifically reference case #JV-241350217.
For any media queries regarding the ongoing manhunt, the Riverside Sheriff’s Department has directed inquiries to their Media Information Bureau.
