DATE OF EVENT: July 28th, 2022
TYPE OF EVENT: Vehicle Pursuit / Residential Burglary / Stolen Vehicle
LOCATION: 100 W. Robertson Ave.
CHARGES: PC 2800.2 – Failure to yield
PC 29800(a)(1) – Felon in possession of a firearm
PC 30305(a) – Felon in possession of ammunition
HS 11370.1(a) – Possess controlled substance with loaded gun
PC 460(a) – Residential burglary
PC 10851(a) – Vehicle theft
PC 148(a)(1) – Resisting arrest
Various additional felony charges
SUSPECT(S): James Ihle 23 year old Ridgecrest resident.
On 7/28/2022, Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black Mercedes sedan in the 1200 block of W. Iowa Ave. The vehicle failed to yield to officers and a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, the vehicle exceeded 100 MPH and failed to stop at multiple stop signs. The pursuit ended with the driver of the vehicle, later identified as James Ihle, losing control at the intersection of N. Mahan St. and W. Las Flores Ave. Ihle fled the scene on foot, into a nearby neighborhood. Officers began conducting yard to yard searches looking for Ihle; however, they were unable to locate him. Officers located methamphetamine and a loaded firearm in the vehicle. A check on the firearm was conducted and officers learned that the firearm had been reported stolen earlier in the week.
Several hours later, the Ridgecrest Police Department received a call from a resident in that neighborhood reporting their vehicle had been stolen from inside their garage.
Ofc. Cushman located the stolen vehicle a short time later in the 1400 block of W. Benson Ave, near where the pursuit initially started. Ofc. Cushman was able to obtain information that Ihle was possibly inside a residence near that location.
Patrol officers and detectives surrounded the house and made contact with the homeowner. The homeowner confirmed that Ihle was inside the residence. Officers and detectives made entry into the residence along with Ofc. Henderson and his canine partner Max. Officers made numerous announcements in the residence; however, Ihle refused to surrender. Officers located a locked bedroom door and ultimately forced entry inside. Ihle was inside the bedroom and was not cooperative with officers. Canine Max made entry into the bedroom and apprehended Ihle. After a brief struggle, Ihle was taken into custody.
Jed McLaughlin, Chief of Police
PREPARED BY: Sergeant Groves