Hemet: High speed vehicle pursuit ends in wreck and arrest of Murrieta resident

January 16, 2016 Trevor Montgomery

Trevor Montgomery

Photographs and on-scene reporting

Patrick Reddick, 18 of Murrieta, was arrested after leading police on a dangerous pursuit in a stolen vehicle.

HEMET – A wild, late night vehicle pursuit in the city of Hemet on Friday, Jan. 15 led to a vehicle crash and the arrest of a suspect for multiple felony violations. The dangerous incident began about 11:00 p.m.

While conducting routine patrol in the 300 block of W. Florida Ave., a Hemet Police K9 handler observed a gold Honda Accord going the opposite direction with no headlights on. The officer quickly turned around and immediately activated his lights and sirens, at which time the driver of the Honda failed to yield and a pursuit was initiated.

The driver, who was later identified as Patrick Reddick, an 18-year-old resident of Murrieta, turned Northbound on Carmalita St. and ran the stop sign at Latham Ave. as it turned West. Showing no concern for the safety of citizens or pursuing officers, Reddick continued fleeing at a high rate of speed. Reddick then ran the red light at Latham Ave. and State St., continuing his reckless attempts to elude Hemet PD officers.

Westbound aerial view of the location of last night’s crash, that occurred at the termination of a vehicle pursuit of a stolen car.

As Reddick attempted to make a high-speed left turn onto Southbound Gilbert St. he lost control of his vehicle and struck a power pole in the front yard of 501 W. Latham Ave. According to police officials, the moment the wrecked vehicle came to rest in the residential yard, Reddick exited the mangled car and fled the area on foot.

The mangled wreckage of the stolen vehicle, following the termination of a high-speed pursuit.

Other responding officers quickly established a perimeter and the driver was soon located as he fled through residential yards while attempting to elude officers. Reddick was detained without further incident.

During their investigation, Hemet PD officers determined the Honda was an unreported stolen vehicle. The car had been stolen from the Murrieta area, where the suspect resides.

The stolen vehicle was a total loss, following the crash that ended a high-speed pursuit.

Reddick was booked into the Hemet PD jail on charges of evading police and possession of a stolen vehicle. He was later transported to the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility, where he was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail. Reddick is expected to be arraigned in court on Jan. 21.

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