Motorist steals patrol car after being pulled over in Riverside

RIVERSIDE -- A motorist pulled over for driving erratically in Riverside managed to steal a patrol car, and was shot at by the police car theft victim as his cruiser sped off into the night, police said today.

The squad car was abandoned in Jurupa Valley, and the suspect escaped, Riverside police Sgt. Dan Russell said.

The patrol officer spotted the motorist ''driving erratically'' at about 12:39 a.m. on north Pine Street and tried pulling him over on Houghton Avenue, the sergeant said.

Instead of stopping, the suspect drove over the sidewalk on Houghton Avenue, crossed into some bushes and bo...