Officers Pursue and Arrest Armed Vehicle Thief On Wednesday night, October 21st,

Officers Pursue and Arrest Armed Vehicle Thief On Wednesday night, October 21st, two Hemet Police Officers were conducting extra patrol in the area of Buena Vista St. and Whittier Ave. Shortly after 9:00 p.m. the officers saw a blue Suzuki Motorcycle driving west bound on Whittier Ave. 

The motorcycle did not have a license plate or any lights and the officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The motorcycle failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated. The pursuit wound through residential streets in the southern portion of the City of Hemet at speeds in excess of 40 MPH. During the pursuit, the motorcycle rider was seen reaching into his waistband numerous times and even threw objects at the pursuing police vehicle. 

The pursuit traveled in a mostly western direction and into the primarily senior citizen community of Panorama Village. In the area of Teakwood Pl. and Shasta Wy., the motorcycle rider jumped off the motorcycle and fled on foot through the community. The officers gave chase and were able to catch up to the suspect near the community clubhouse. 

The suspect resisted the officers but they were ultimately able to take him into custody. A search of the suspect revealed that he was armed with a loaded handgun that had been reported stolen out of Las Vegas and that he was in possession of a substantial amount of suspected Methamphetamine. Further investigation revealed that the motorcycle had been reported stolen out of Hemet four days earlier. Arrested: Joe Pimental, 40 year old Hemet resident. 

Charges: Possession of a controlled substance while armed with a gun, felony evasion, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, and an out of state felony warrant. Bail: None