Hemet Man Arrested After Short Pursuit, Suspected of DUI

HEMET, CA - Sheriff's deputies arrested a 30-year-old probationer from Hemet after a traffic stop turned into a brief pursuit.

Deputies attempted to pull over Tony Ponce at 11:47 p.m. Saturday for a traffic violation near the intersection of Santa Fe Street and Mayberry Avenue. Ponce did not stop and continued driving, sheriff's deputies said, initiating a pursuit that ended in the 900 block of Leslie Drive.

Sgt. David Douglas said Ponce was "uncooperative and fought with officers as they took him into custody.''

Authorities said evidence found at the scene led them to suspect he was under the influence of both alcohol and drugs.

Ponce was booked for resisting arrest, DUI, evading a police officer and violation of probation. He is being held at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Center in Banning in lieu of $100,000 bail.

– By City News Service / Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone