Sex Offender Found With Girl, 16, Flees Police During Arrest: Report

HEMET, CA — A 37-year-old registered sex offender was arrested following an alleged scuffle with officers at the end of a foot pursuit in Hemet, police announced Thursday.

Hemet Police Department officers were called about 7:20 a.m. Tuesday to Jesse Guzman's home in the 200 block of South Palm Avenue, near the Panorama Village Golf Course, after receiving a report from a woman who said her 16-year- old daughter left her father's residence and was staying with Guzman, according to a department statement.

Officers did not disclose any information regarding the relationship between the girl and Guzman.

Officers located the girl at the home and learned Guzman "was hiding inside the home, and that he was wanted for a violation of his" offender registration requirements.

"As officers were preparing to speak with Guzman, he suddenly ran out the back door and led officers in a foot pursuit," according to a police statement. "During the chase, Guzman climbed onto the roof of a nearby building and then jumped off the roof injuring his leg."

Guzman fled from officers despite being injured, racing through the shop area of an auto body repair facility.

Police caught up to Guzman in the 200 block of South Western Avenue and attempted to take him into custody, though he resisted.

"Guzman began to fight with the police and at one point, grabbed an officer by his tactical vest in an attempt to remove the officer's police equipment and potentially arm himself," police reported. "Officers were able to gain control of Guzman after an intense struggle, and he was finally taken into custody."

Guzman was arrested on a felony warrant for failing to register as a sex offender and a misdemeanor warrant for possession of dangerous drugs.

Hemet police are also assisting at least two Northern California law enforcement agencies in an investigation into Guzman for alleged possession of child pornography.

City News Service contributed to this report.