Riverside: Suspect rams into cars at end of police chase

Two motorists were injured today when a suspect fleeing from Riverside police in an alleged stolen vehicle plowed into cars stopped at a red light.

The pursuit began around 10:30 a.m. at Via Norte Drive and Lake Street, near the Riverside Municipal Airport, according to Lt. Chad Milby.

A patrol unit spotted a red Honda Civic that matched the description of a car reported stolen and stopped the driver, who was initially cooperative and got out to speak with the officers, Milby said.

However, within seconds, the suspect, whose name has not been released, jumped back into the compact and sped south, according to Milby.

The man drove onto Van Buren Boulevard “at a high rate of speed” with officers close behind, Milby said.

The chase lasted only a few minutes and covered about two miles until the suspect reached the intersection of Van Buren and California Avenue, where he plowed into the rear of a Dodge Charger stopped for the light.

Milby said the impact pushed the Charger into a Honda Accord stopped ahead of it.

All the vehicles, including the suspect’s, were disabled.

The suspect was arrested and taken to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The victims were also taken to RCH with minor injuries, according to police.