Pursuit of stolen vehicle leads to start of '46 Fire' in Jurupa Valley, police say
(Riverside Police Department)
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - A police pursuit early Thursday morning is to blame for starting the 46 Fire in the Jurupa Valley that prompted evacuations and burned hundreds of acres, police say.
The Riverside Police Department says officers noticed a stolen vehicle with two occupants inside driving into the Jurupa Valley area from the City of Riverside and attempted to pull it over with assistance from Riverside County Sheriff's deputies.
The driver of the suspect vehicle did not stop and, instead, led authorities on a pursuit that lasted for about 15 minutes, according to police.
"Towards the end of the pursuit, the vehicle drove over several curbs and fencing near the large empty field along 46th Street and Crestmore Drive, causing damage to its tires," said a news release by the Riverside Police Department. "The stolen vehicle then entered an empty field and became disabled. The driver and passenger attempted to flee on foot but were quickly apprehended by deputies and officers."
Authorities say the heat from the stolen vehicle's wheels ignited a fire underneath the car, which then became fully engulfed spreading flames to the nearby vegetation.
Bryan Anguiano, 23, of Jurupa Valley, was arrested and later booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for felony evading, car theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, and an outstanding felony warrant for burglary and false impersonation.
CAL Fire Arson Investigators will additionally charge Anguiano with arson violations related to the cause of the 46 Fire, police said.
The second suspect, Kevin Hidalgo, 28, of Riverside, was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for an outstanding felony warrant for violation of Post-Release Community Supervision.