Driver Suspected In Police Chase, Crash In Murrieta ID'd

MURRIETA, CA — A man suspected of fleeing from Menifee police in a stolen vehicle then crashing into a motorist in Murrieta remained jailed Monday on suspicion of more than a dozen felony charges.

Alex Lopez Gomez, 30, of Homeland is being held at Southwest Detention Center in lieu of $240,000 bail following the crash and his subsequent arrest Friday morning at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Date Street in Murrieta.

Jail records show Gomez was booked on suspicion of evading a peace officer/reckless driving, operating a chop shop, three counts of taking a vehicle without the owner's consent, nine counts of possession of a stolen vehicle, and committing a felony while out of custody on bail/post-release — all felonies.

He was also booked on several drug misdemeanor drug charges and driving without a license.

Menifee police made the arrest at approximately 9:30 a.m. Friday following the crash.

Gomez was in a white Chevrolet SUV that was allegedly stolen when he was spotted by Menifee police in the Quail Valley area. Instead of pulling over, Gomez led a police chase into Murrieta that ended when he slammed into a black BMW sedan at the intersection on the south end of Murrieta.

Immediately after the crash, Gomez received medical treatment in the back of a Menifee police car before being hauled off to jail. The male BMW driver, who was cooperating with the investigation, declined care at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

In addition to Menifee officers, Murrieta police and deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene. A sheriff's helicopter was also used to assist in the pursuit.

Gomez is due in court Tuesday, jail records show. Court records were not immediately available.