A suspect was arrested for allegedly holding an elderly man hostage before leading deputies on a pursuit in Riverside County.

The suspect was identified as Jason Wright, 42, of Cherry Valley, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

On Tuesday, deputies responded to a robbery at a home on the 39000 block of Lincoln Street in Cherry Valley at 3:15 p.m.

The victim, only identified as an elderly man, told deputies he was tied up and threatened at knifepoint by Wright.

Wright allegedly stole the victim’s vehicle and sped away before deputies arrived.

Authorities searched the area and spotted Wright at a restaurant drive-thru near 6th Street and Highland Springs Avenue in Beaumont. When he noticed the patrol cars, he reversed his vehicle, drove over a curb and back onto the street to escape.

Deputies eventually lost sight of his vehicle. With the help of Beaumont Police and the Riverside Sheriff’s Aviation unit, he was later found driving on dirt roads near California Avenue and Lamb Canyon Road. 

Wright refused to yield and led officers on a chase before driving into a dead end. He ditched the vehicle and fled on foot, but was eventually captured.

He was arrested for robbery, kidnapping, false imprisonment of an elder, vehicle theft, and probation violation.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Investigator Jimenez at 951-776-1099 or the Cabazon Sheriff’s Station at 951-922-7100.