4/11/21 Fontana, CA – Wanted Suspect In Handcuffs Kicked Through The Back Cage Of The Police Car – Officers Were Unaware While Investigating That The Fontana Police Car Was Stolen And Found In Jurupa Valley – Captured

April 11, 2021

www.sbsun.com

A stolen Fontana police patrol car prompted an extensive search that resulted in the car being located and the suspect being arrested the following day, the Fontana Police Department said.

On Friday, April 9, officers located John Echenique, 37, from Bloomington, who was wanted in a stolen car investigation in the 11900 block of Pepper Avenue in Bloomington at about 9:30 p.m., according to Sgt. Chris Tusant. Officers contacted Echenique, handcuffed him and placed him the back of the patrol car.

Echenique was allegedly able to kick through the safety bar of the back cage and force himself into the front seat while the officers continued their investigation, police said in a news release. He then slipped through his handcuffs and drove away in the marked police car.

An extensive search was conducted and the patrol car was located a short time later in Jurupa Valley, however, Echenique was nowhere to be found, Tusant said.

A stolen Fontana police patrol car prompted an extensive search that resulted in the car being located and the suspect being arrested the following day, the Fontana Police Department said.

On Friday, April 9, officers located John Echenique, 37, from Bloomington, who was wanted in a stolen car investigation in the 11900 block of Pepper Avenue in Bloomington at about 9:30 p.m., according to Sgt. Chris Tusant. Officers contacted Echenique, handcuffed him and placed him the back of the patrol car.

Echenique was allegedly able to kick through the safety bar of the back cage and force himself into the front seat while the officers continued their investigation, police said in a news release. He then slipped through his handcuffs and drove away in the marked police car.

An extensive search was conducted and the patrol car was located a short time later in Jurupa Valley, however, Echenique was nowhere to be found, Tusant said.