Man Abducts Woman, Leads Cops On 120 MPH Chase To Elsinore: Cops

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A man who allegedly dragged his girlfriend into his car during a domestic dispute, then led Corona police on a multi-city pursuit through western Riverside County and into Lake Elsinore, was being held Wednesday in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Miguel Angel Romero, 35, was arrested Tuesday night and booked at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside on suspicion of kidnapping, felony evading and domestic violence.

According to Corona police Sgt. Chad Fountain, Romero and his girlfriend got into an argument about 8:30 p.m. at her residence in the 800 block of West Olive Street. He allegedly grabbed the victim by her hair and pulled her into his car in front of witnesses, who immediately called 911 and reported that Romero "threatened to use a gun" if anyone tried to intervene, Fountain alleged.

Officers swarmed the area and spotted the suspect's vehicle, with him at the wheel and her in a passenger seat, according to the sergeant.

"A traffic stop was initiated, but Romero refused to stop and led officers on a pursuit," Fountain said. "The pursuit reached speeds up to 120 mph and went from Corona to Lake Elsinore, to Norco, and ultimately ended back in Corona in the 800 block of La Cadena, where the suspect attempted to flee."

Romero ran into the backyard of a home and tried to force his way inside, but was confronted by officers, according to the sergeant.

When the suspect refused commands to surrender and started "reaching his right hand deep into his waistband," a police canine was released to take him down, Fountain said. Patrolmen subdued Romero, who was treated for minor injuries before being booked into jail, he said.

The woman, whose name was not released, was uninjured, according to Fountain.

No firearm was located in the car, or on the suspect, police said.

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