Crime & Safety
Police: Gang Member Leads Cops on Chase Through Banning, Crashes
The man apparently tried to run from the crash scene to get away from Banning police, but he was caught.
A San Jacinto parolee and alleged gang member suspected of leading police on a chase in a stolen vehicle in Banning was behind bars Monday.
A Banning police officer was notified of a stolen vehicle about 4:40 p.m. Saturday near Wilson Street and Sunset Avenue, and other officers saw the vehicle being driven east on Wilson toward Sunset. Officers tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver, 30-year-old Michael Allen Leonard, refused to stop and a chase ensued, according to Banning police.
"Leonard attempted to elude Officers by running stop signs and a red light; however, Officers remained behind him," a police report states.
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The man then lost control when he tried to turn north on Omar Street from westbound Ramsey Street. He crashed into a large tree and then tried to run away, but officers soon detained him, police said.
He was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries and later booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, according to Banning police. He is being held without bail, according to jail records.
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– City News Service contributed to this report.
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