On Thursday, 08-06-09, at about 1430 hours, two Detectives with the Murrieta Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team were patrolling the area on Antelope Rd. and Keller. The Detectives initiated a traffic stop on a maroon Honda Civic for expired registration on Antelope Rd. The driver of the maroon Honda Civic pulled over to the right on Antelope Rd., but quickly sped away after the Detectives got out of their vehicle and started to approach the car.
The Detectives pursued the vehicle on dirt roads and a field near Meadowlark Ln. and Triple C Ranch Rd. The pursuit lasted approximately 2 minutes, with speeds up to approximately 50 mph. The pursuit ended when the driver of the Honda crashed through a barb wire fence and became stuck on a property located on Triple C Ranch and Meadowlark. The driver and passenger fled from their vehicle on foot and hid in an area heavy with trees and brush.
The passenger, 45 year old David Franko was the first to be found. He was taken into custody by the pursuing Detectives a few minutes after he fled from the car. A records check on Franko showed him to have a warrant for a parole violation. Franko was also arrested for Resisting Arrest, Threatening a Police Officer and an additional Parole Violation.
A search for the driver was conducted by Detectives, Patrol Officers and an MPD K-9 team. The driver, 48 year old Richard Powell was found approximately ¼ mile to the west of the Honda. Powell was found hiding underneath some brush near Meadow Lark. Powell was arrested for Fleeing from a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle, Resisting Arrest and a Violation of Parole.
The ignition of the Honda Civic was punched and it appeared that the Honda was an unreported stolen vehicle. Additional investigation is needed on the vehicle's owner.
Franko and Powell were booked at the South West Detention Center for the listed charges. |
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