Oceanside Felon Leads Cops On High Speed Chase: Police

OCEANSIDE, CA — A convicted felon from Oceanside was jailed Friday on a slew of felony charges after allegedly being nabbed in Riverside County following a police chase with a loaded handgun, a large knife, and drug paraphernalia. Ryan Ballew, 25, is accused of not only failing to stop for Murrieta police in a traffic stop — but of crashing into two vehicles while trying to flee.

Murrieta police said it all started around 12:40 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Harveston Way and Harveson Drive in the neighboring city of Temecula. A Murrieta officer "attempted to conduct a traffic stop" but the driver, identified as Bellew, took off speeding.

The vehicle chase didn't last long, but Ballew still tried to get away after crashing, according to police.

"The suspect...was forced to stop his vehicle due to heavy traffic on Winchester Road near Ynez Road," police said in a news release. "After colliding with two vehicles, Mr. Ballew fled his vehicle on foot and ran behind businesses along Winchester Road. Mr. Ballew was quickly apprehended and placed under arrest."

None of the occupants of the cars Ballew allegedly struck were injured, nor was he, according to police.

A lieutenant said officers found several stolen items from San Diego County inside the sedan.

"The officers conducted a check on Mr. Ballew’s vehicle pursuant to his arrest and active probation status and located a loaded handgun, large knife, and narcotics paraphernalia," police said. "Several additional items were also located that Mr. Ballew admitted to stealing from vehicles in San Diego County."

"Officers are currently contacting the owners of these recovered items," police added.

According to jail records, Ballew has an active felony warrant pending from another county, but no details were available.

Ballew is at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in French Valley, according to records. He's being held without bail.

— Image via Murrieta Police / City News Service contributed to this report