Murrieta Carjacking, Police Chase End With Suspect Crashing Into Semi

MURRIETA, CA — Details about a police chase Monday morning in Murrieta were released, with authorities saying a suspect is in custody after he allegedly tussled with bail agents, carjacked a motorist then crashed into a semi.

The incident began around 10:15 a.m. when the Murrieta Police Department received a call about a brawl near Temecula Motorsports located at 26860 Jefferson Avenue.

The caller said two bail agents were involved in a fight with a man later identified as 29-year-old Michael Wagner, who was wanted on two felony warrants, according to Murrieta police.

The incident escalated after Wagner escaped from the bail agents and carjacked an uninvolved motorist before speeding away in the stolen vehicle, police reported.

Murrieta police officers caught up with Wagner as he drove north on Adams Avenue at Fig Street, but, instead of pulling over, he led a chase.

The pursuit continued north on Adams Avenue but quickly ended when Wagner smashed the stolen vehicle into a semi that was traveling east on Kalmia Street, according to police.

Wagner sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was sent to a local hospital for treatment; the semi driver was not injured, police reported.

Jail records show Wagner was booked into Cois Byrd Detention Center on suspicion of carjacking, reckless evading, possession of a stolen vehicle and outstanding warrants.

Court records show Wagner has multiple convictions in Riverside County over the last 10 years, including assault with a deadly weapon, cruelty to an elder adult, evading arrest, battery, assault, grand theft, hit-and-run causing property damage, taking a vehicle without the owner's consent, and many drug counts. Last month, he pleaded not guilty to evading arrest, purchasing a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest.

Anyone with information about the alleged carjacking is asked to contact Murrieta police Sgt. Jay Elliott at 951-461-6395 or JElliott@murrietaca.gov. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call Murrieta police Traffic Investigator Anthony Datil at 951-461-6397 or ADatil@murrietac.gov.