Two in custody after police chase ends at Marketplace

Hemet Police officers and Sheriff's deputies have a suspect cuffed and on the ground in a Menifee parking lot. Menifee 24/7 photos: Doug Spoon

Police took a man into custody Saturday after a brief struggle in a Menifee shopping center at Newport Road and Haun Road at the end of a police chase.

Menifee 24/7 arrived on scene at Countryside Marketplace as Hemet Police officers and Sheriff's deputies had the suspect in handcuffs on the ground next to a patrol car. A small crowd was gathered around, along with multiple police cars, a firetruck and two ambulances. A woman was also in custody in a separate Hemet Police vehicle.

According to a Hemet police officer on scene, Hemet PD was seeking the suspect for prior crimes in that city. It is unclear whether the chase began in Hemet or Menifee. Deputy Armando Munoz said Sheriff's deputies began the pursuit at Evans Road and Newport Road.

One witness at the scene said the chase extended as far west as Newport Road and Murrieta Road before turning back east. Residents messaged Menifee 24/7 about being passed by the speeding vehicles and seeing a police helicopter overhead.

Officers were speaking to a man who says he is related to the suspect and woman. In answer to his questions, officers said it appeared the suspect intended to end the chase in the Marketplace and see his mother there. The suspect and woman embraced as officers approached in the parking lot. Officers said the woman refused to let go of the suspect and in the struggle to take the suspect into custody, both the man and woman were taken down.

According to Munoz, the woman was arrested because she obstructed officers in their attempts to subdue the suspect.

The male suspect was bloodied about the face and was still resisting as officers placed in him a Hemet Police vehicle. Officers on scene declined to give Menifee 24/7 any further details and referred the media to the Hemet Police Department. We will update the story as soon as possible.

A suspect continues to shout at officers as he is placed in a patrol car.

Countryside Marketplace remained open but police and fire vehicles blocked a portion of the parking lot.