Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Monday, July 1, 2019 / 10:53 a.m.

INCIDENT: Grand Theft Auto / Felony Evading

LOCATION: Tonner Drive / Glenheather Drive, Highland

SUSPECT: Ryan Flaherty, age 36, Highland resident
Kathleen Allen, age 37, Hemet resident

VICTIMS: Highland and Riverside Residents

SUMMARY: On Monday, July 1, 2019, at about 9:45 am, Highland Station patrol received an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) hit of a stolen black 2011 GMC Acadia at the intersection of Baseline Street and Boulder Avenue. Deputies were not able to locate the vehicle initially. At about 10:53 am, Deputy Kling located the stolen vehicle at the Valero gas station on the corner of Boulder Avenue and Greenspot Road. Deputy Kling pulled in behind the stolen vehicle and waited for additional patrol units. After another deputy arrived, they attempted a felony traffic stop. The driver pulled over and immediately sped off at a high rate of speed through residential streets. The driver ran the stop sign at Glenheather Drive and Church Street without due regard for other vehicles on the street. The driver continued at a high rate of speed and pulled into the East Highland Community Park on Love Street. The driver rammed a south wrought iron gate and became high centered on an embankment at the far south end of the park. The driver and passenger ran from the stolen vehicle.

Within minutes, a local resident called in a suspicious person call whom he was holding at gun point in his back yard. Deputies arrived and arrested Ryan Flaherty. During the arrest, the homeowners dog bit one of the deputies. The deputy sustained minor injuries. He was treated at a local hospital and released. The front passenger, Kathleen Allen, was located about 45 minutes later and was arrested without incident. Due to the collision in the stolen vehicle, Allen was transported to a local hospital.

Flaherty was booked at the Central Detention Center for Felony Evading and Grand Theft Auto.

Further investigation into the contents in the stolen vehicle revealed multiple pieces of mail belonging to many East Highland residents, Riverside County residents, packages with the shipping labels removed and narcotic paraphernalia. The investigation is ongoing and additional victims are being identified.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or is urged to contact the Highland Police Department at (909) 425-9793. 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

Refer: Deputy M. Kling
DR #: 131902710
Phone No. (909)387-3700

John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department