Man Suspected Of Ramming Banning Police Car Captured

BANNING, CA — A man suspected of ramming into a Banning police car last month at the Holiday Inn Express on W. Ramsey Street has been captured, authorities announced.

Jessie Robey, 28, was taken into custody Tuesday in Yucaipa on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a controlled substance while armed, evading a peace officer, and violation of felony probation. He also had an unrelated felony warrant out for his arrest, according to Banning police.

Robey's girlfriend, Jody Harper, 21, was also arrested for unrelated felony and misdemeanor warrants, police said.

Robey and Harper were booked into Banning's Smith Correctional Facility.

According to Banning police, shortly after 7:30 a.m. Sept. 14 officers were called to the hotel's parking lot at 3020 W. Ramsey Street regarding a driver slumped over the steering wheel of a running vehicle.

Police found the unresponsive man, later identified as Robey, and saw that he had a handgun next to him. Officers identified themselves and removed the gun, but Robey woke up and fled, according to police.

In his escape attempt, Robey "rammed his vehicle into a Banning officer’s patrol vehicle, while occupied by the officer," according to Banning police.

During a police chase, Robey "committed several vehicle code violations, including driving the wrong way and speeding," Banning police said.

The chase ended when Robey crashed his vehicle through neighborhood fences in the unincorporated area of Cherry Valley. He continued to flee on foot and escaped capture, according to Banning police.

The vehicle he was driving turned out to be stolen, as was the gun and other property found by police, according to Banning PD.

There were also narcotics discovered, police said.

Through investigation, Robey was identified as the suspect and he was tracked down on Tuesday with assistance of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office Gang
Impact Team.

During his arrest, another stolen vehicle was found, according to Banning police.