Crime & Safety

Woman Rams Vehicle Into Sheriff's Patrol Car

Margaret Alvarez, 43, was booked on suspicion of vehicle theft, assault with a deadly weapon and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

A 43-year-old woman suspected of auto theft was arrested Friday after she used the vehicle to ram a sheriffs' patrol vehicle in unincorporated Woodcrest.

Deputies responding to a report of a vehicle theft in progress just after 4 p.m. in the 15000 block of Van Buren Boulevard learned Margaret Alvarez of Woodcrest had allegedly tried to run over several people and rammed a parked vehicle, said Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Chris Durham.

Someone fired a small caliber handgun at the vehicle's tires in an attempt to disable it, but although the shots flattened the tires, Alvarez was still able to drive off, Durham said.

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Deputies located the vehicle in a driveway in the 16000 block of Stallion Place and ordered Alvarez to surrender, Durham said.

Instead, Alvarez allegedly put the vehicle in reverse and rammed a patrol vehicle.

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After a brief struggle, deputies pulled Alvarez out and after a precautionary visit to a hospital booked her on suspicion of vehicle theft, assault with a deadly weapon and being under the influence of a controlled substance. She is being held Robert Presley Detention Center on $25,000 bail.

It was unclear if the person who fired shots at the vehicle was facing possible charges. --City News Service


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