Man faces charge of firing weapon inside Menifee residence

Police displayed some of the firearms seized during the search of a Menifee residence.

Law enforcement officials on Tuesday arrested a man who fled from them three days earlier after allegedly firing a weapon inside a Menifee residence, authorities said.

Lucas Rutledge, 37, faces a felony charge of shooting at an inhabited building. He is being held at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta with bail set at $1 million, according to jail records.

Sheriff's deputies initially responded at 3:52 p.m. on July 6 to the report of an illegal discharge of a firearm at a residence in the 26000 block of Byers Road in Menifee, according to a news release. Witnesses told officers that the suspect was acting irrational and discharged a firearm inside the residence. The suspect fled the location before deputies arrived.

After learning that Rutledge was once again at the residence, deputies returned Tuesday at 4:29 p.m. with members of the Special Enforcement Team, Riverside County Gang Force, Sheriff's K-9 team, Sheriff's Hazardous Device Team, Sheriff's SWAT team and a helicopter. Subjects on site told officers Rutledge was still inside the residence. Rutledge surrendered peacefully.

A search of the property revealed several weapons, including an AT-4 anti-tank weapon launcher and three other firearms, including an AR-15 rifle. Members of the Hazardous Device Team rendered the anti-tank weapon safe and took possession of it, authorities said.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Deputy R. Thornock or Deputy R. Owen from the Perris Station by calling 951-210-1000.