Lakeland Village Man Roughed Up After Fleeing Police

Police had to use force to restrain a Lakeland Village man who allegedly became combative after he was taken into custody this week.

According to a Sept. 30 report from Sgt. Patrick J. Chavez of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station, John Mejia, 22, got scuffed up by deputies Monday after he attempted to escape custody at the station.

Deputies arrested Mejia earlier that day in the 18900 block of Janisse Lane in Lakeland Village for being under the influence of illegal drugs. According to Sgt. Chavez’s report, Mejia has a long history of drug abuse problems.

After being hauled into the station for processing and transport to Southwest Detention Center, Mejia broke free and briefly escaped, Sgt. Chavez reported.

Deputies chased the suspect into the Sheriff’s Station parking lot and “had to force him to the ground in order to keep him from escaping,” Sgt. Chavez reported. “During the struggle to escape, Mejia received injuries to his chin and lower extremities.”

He was transported to the Inland Valley Medical Center for a medical evaluation, the sergeant reported.

“At the hospital Mejia continued to display combative behavior with medical staff who were attempting to evaluate him,” Sgt. Chavez continued. “Mejia was ultimately admitted for further observation.”