RIVERSIDE -- A motorist pulled over for driving erratically in Riverside managed to steal a patrol car, and was shot at by the police car theft victim as his cruiser sped off into the night, police said today.

The squad car was abandoned in Jurupa Valley, and the suspect escaped, Riverside police Sgt. Dan Russell said.

The patrol officer spotted the motorist "driving erratically" at about 12:39 a.m. on north Pine Street and tried pulling him over on Houghton Avenue, the Advertisement

[ Pala Mesa Resort ] sergeant said.

Instead of stopping, the suspect drove over the sidewalk on Houghton Avenue, crossed into some bushes and bolted from the car, Russell said.

The officer ran after the suspect, who headed toward some houses. The suspect circled back undetected to the patrol car and drove off, Russell said.

The officer fired off at least one round but missed as the suspect drove off, eventually to Jurupa Valley. It was not specified how many times the officer fired his gun.