MURRIETA - A Murrieta ex-convict driving a stolen car was chased by police, crashed into parked vehicle and fled into a home where officers arrested him, a police sergeant said.

The incident began just before 6 a.m. today, when a patrol officer tried pulling over a driver for a traffic violation at Rosemary Street and Hunter Road. The motorist was later identified as a parolee named Miguel Estrada, 30, of Murrieta, Murrieta police Sgt. Don Weller said.

The police chase lasted four minutes and extended over two miles as Estrada ran past red lights, stop signs and crossed over into opposing traffic lanes. The chase that reached speeds Advertisement

[ Murrieta Volkswagen ] of up to 60 mph, Weller said.

The pursuit came to an abrupt halt when Estrada plowed into a parked vehicle in the 39000 block of Calicia Street. He bolted from the wreckage and jumped over a nearby fence into a backyard, where Estrada tried to hide from officers, Weller said.

Officers entered the property, found Estrada and arrested him. Officers also found a loaded handgun and an unspecified quantity of methamphetamine, Weller said.

The car was found to have been stolen.

Estrada was arrested for suspicion of auto theft, being a violent felon in possession of a firearm, transportation of a controlled substance, and other allegations, Weller said.