CRIME REPORT: A San Bernardino Man Led Deputies on a high speed pursuit after he carjacked his vehicle that was being repossesse

SAN BERNARDINO >> On Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at approximately 11:04 p.m., deputies from the Central Station were dispatched to 24700 block of 5th Street in San Bernardino following the report of a carjacking that just occurred. The victim was a tow truck driver sent on behalf of a local finance company to repossess a vehicle from the suspect, Daniel Avilez, for failure to make payments. During the lawful tow, Avilez confronted the victim and demanded he release the vehicle from the tow hitch. The victim refused to do so and Avilez jumped inside the vehicle and tried to drive it off the hitch. When he was unsuccessful, Avilez released the vehicle from the tow truck strap device. Avilez told the victim he had a gun and threatened to "shoot" the victim if he tried to stop him. Avilez fled the area in the vehicle. The vehicle was located via a GPS tracking device affixed to the vehicle by the victim prior to the confrontation. The tracking device showed the vehicle on the westbound Interstate 10 freeway in the city of Bloomington. The vehicle was found by the Sheriff’s aviation unit on the freeway and directed deputies to the suspect vehicle as it exited Cedar Ave in Bloomington. When deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Avilez fled in the vehicle and led deputies and Sheriff's aviation unit on a 10 mile vehicle pursuit. During the pursuit, Avilez drove on the wrong side of the road at speeds over 100 mph and failed to stop at light controlled intersections. Avilez drove back to his neighborhood and fled on foot. Deputies located Avilez hiding inside his apartment and he was taken into custody without further incident. Avilez was positively identified by the victim at the scene. The repossession order was confirmed to be valid. Avilez was arrested and booked at West Valley Detention Center. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.