The Valley Chronicle - Bizarre behavior results in pursuit and arrest

[caption id="attachment_5253" align="alignright" width="576"] Photo by John Strangis
Riverside Sheriff’s deputies seal the windows of the truck that led officials on the pursuit.[/caption] ■ Chronicle News Service A Riverside County Sheriff’s deputy discharged a firearm on Sunday morning, July 30, during a pursuit that originated in Winchester and ended in Hemet near the intersection of Morro Hill Road and Dusty Hill Road. At approximately 9:25 a.m., a citizen flagged down a Riverside County Sheriff’s deputy near the intersection of Fields Drive and Washington Street in the unincorporated community of Winchester. According to a news release by Sgt. Chris Willison, Riverside County Sheriff public information officer, as the deputy was speaking to the subject, the deputy observed bizarre behavior and the subject allegedly attempted to place the deputy under arrest and demanded the deputy disarm himself. Fearing the subject may be a danger to himself and others, the deputy attempted to detain the subject for a mental health evaluation. “While refusing the deputy’s commands, the subject entered a parked pickup truck in an attempt to flee the scene,” stated Willison. “While attempting to prevent his escape, the subject accelerated the vehicle and a deputy-involved shooting occurred.” The subject fled the area and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The pursuit entered the city of Hemet, where a spike strip was used to disable the vehicle near the intersection of Morro Hill Road and Dusty Hill Road. [caption id="attachment_5254" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo by John Strangis
The pursuit ended when the truck drove over spike strips near the intersection of Morro Hill Road and Dusty Hill Road.[/caption] The subject was taken into custody and transported to a local area hospital for a medical evaluation. No citizens, deputies or officers were injured during the incident. Investigators from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation. The subject was identified as John Krasowski, 29, from the state of Washington. After receiving a medical evaluation, he was booked into the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in the city of Murrieta for assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, evading and resisting arrest. The deputy involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave per RSO policy. The involved deputy’s names will not be released at this time. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Unit Investigator Dickey at 951-955-2777.