Last Updated on January 17, 2023 by C-CAR
JURUPA VALLEY >> An alleged pickup truck thief was arrested in Jurupa Valley on Sunday after leading police on a chase and then crashing the vehicle, according to authorities.
Around 10:45 a.m., officers spotted pickup truck reported stolen earlier in the day that was heading north on Dodd Street at 54th Street, said Sgt. Brandi Swan.
A stop was attempted, but the vehicle, driven by suspect Bryan Wayne Smith, 46, of Jurupa Valley, sped away, Swan said.
Smith ended up crashing the truck through a commercial fence and then attempted to flee on foot from pursuing officers, Swan said.
A helicopter and K-9 search led to the suspect, who was found hiding in thick bush.
Smith was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving a stolen vehicle, evading, vandalism and possession of stolen property.
He was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center and was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
During the course of their investigation, officers executed a search warrant at a home in the 5500 block of Dodd Street, where they found additional stolen property belonging to the truck’s owner, Swan said.
Another suspect at the residence, 56-year-old Mitchell Allen Terry of Jurupa Valley was arrested for alleged possession of stolen property and was being held in lieu of $5,000 bail, she said.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is urged to contact Deputy Sergio Sanchez at 951-955-2600 or after hours at 1-800-950-2444.
