Alleged Car, Jewelry Thief Behind Bars

A man was behind bars today for allegedly stealing a Jaguar, jewelry, expensive electronics and savings bonds from people in Temecula and San Jacinto.

Wilson Homer LaHood, 33, was arrested around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 33000 block of Ballamy Lane on suspicion of auto theft, possessing stolen property, possessing illegal drugs and evading officers, according to records. He was held at a jail in Murrieta without bail, records show.

Deputies saw the suspect smash the Jaguar into another vehicle at Menifee and Scott roads around 7:30 p.m. and speed away, said Sheriff’s Sgt. Tim Elwell.

After checking on the victims, the deputies chased the suspect until he stopped the car, jumped out and ran, said the sergeant.

Deputies lost the suspect, but he was spotted running through a backyard. Deputies set up a perimeter and used a dog to search the area. “The suspect was located hiding in a motor home parked in the backyard of (a home),” Elwell said. “He refused orders to exit… and was subsequently bitten one time by the K-9.”

LaHood immediately surrendered. Investigators found “numerous items of stolen property,” such as laptop computers, jewelry, cameras and tools, the sergeant said.

“Investigation showed these items came from houses in Temecula and San Jacinto,” Elwell said.

Anybody with information was asked to call the Temecula Police Departmentca at 951-696-3000.