Crime & Safety
Man in Stolen Steer Tractor Leads Police on Chase in Lake Elsinore
"The tractor drove through three fences in an attempt to evade the Sheriff's helicopter overhead," sheriff's officials said.
A Perris man sat behind bars Monday, accused of stealing a heavy-duty tractor-- and then leading police on a chase.
Riverside County Sheriff's Sgt. Nathan Kaas says German Avalos, 25, was nabbed Monday after sheriff's deputies spotted him driving the Caterpillar Skid Steer Tractor in a public roadway in the middle of the night, near Highway 74 and Dexter Ave.
"The tractor did not have any lights and was a danger to other vehicular traffic," Kaas said of the initial attempted traffic stop.
According to Kaas, the man in the tractor did not pull over, but took off instead east on Highway 74. From there, he took it through a field in the area of Conard Avenue and 3rd Street, and on to El Toro Cutoff.
"The tractor drove through three fences in an attempt to evade the Sheriff’s helicopter overhead," Kaas added.
Eventually, though, Avalos abandoned the trailer and was caught by deputies, according to Kaas.
"Avalos was booked at the Southwest Detention Center for vehicle theft, and evading law enforcement," he said.
Jail records indicate Avalos was being held on $10,000 bail and is due in court on Wednesday.
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