posted 06-06-2005 01:49 PM         

Fugitive steals big rig, races it into Mexico

By Janine Zúñiga and Lisa Petrillo
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS
June 6, 2005

A just-released convict suspected of killing his wife in Bakersfield stole a tractor-trailer from an Oceanside rest stop yesterday, then drove it to Mexico with law officers in pursuit, authorities said.

The big-rig driver raced down Interstate 5 the length of San Diego County at speeds exceeding 90 mph before he was caught after crossing into Mexico around 10:15 a.m, about 40 minutes after the truck was reported stolen, according to authorities.

Bakersfield police identified the suspect as 40-year-old Hershal Hall, who is wanted in connection with the death of his 75-year-old wife, Frances Russell. She was found dead Thursday at a Vagabond Inn in Bakersfield. Hall had been in jail on a parole violation and had been released shortly before the death of his wife of six months, authorities said.

Sheriff's officials said Hall had abandoned a dark blue 2004 Dodge Neon at the rest stop near Camp Pendleton. The car belonged to his wife, according to deputies.

Mexican authorities turned Hall over the U.S. Customs officials, sheriff's officials said.

During the chase, no one was hurt and no collisions were reported on this side of the border. It did not appear there were any injuries in Mexico.

Sheriff's Lt. Lee Yoder said pilots in a sheriff's helicopter saw the arrest in Mexico as they flew on the U.S. side of the border. Yoder said sheriff's officials confirmed the arrest with U.S. Customs officials who spoke with Mexican officials, but no other details were provided on the arrest.

Sheriff's officials received a call about the stolen truck at 9:37 a.m., and deputies caught up with the truck, which was reportedly traveling at speeds exceeding 90 mph, in Encinitas.

San Diego Sheriff's deputies spotted the big rig as it traveled south on I-5 near Lomas Santa Fe Drive. Other deputies and San Diego Police Department and California Highway Patrol officers helped in the nearly 40-minute pursuit.

Border taxi drivers at their usual perch atop the Camino de la Plaza bridge overlooking the international port of entry said they were waiting for fares about 10:15 a.m. when they heard sirens and the helicopter, and they saw the end of the U.S. chase.

"We saw the whole thing," said Javier Sanchez of San Ysidro, who drives for J & G Cab Co. "The guy drove by here and under the bridge and they were trying to stop him, but he just kept going. There wasn't much traffic so he just drove into Mexico."

Sanchez and Marcos Ramirez of Bonita said immigration officials from the border station ran toward the truck to help, but the driver continued across the border.

"There were only about four cars there at the time," Sanchez said. "If there was more traffic like this, he would not have gotten in."

During the pursuit, CHP officers tried stopping the big rig with spike strips, but the driver avoided them, Yoder said.

Sheriff's officials called ahead to border authorities on both sides to let them know about the truck heading their way. Yoder said it is Sheriff's Department policy to let chased suspects cross the border if they are intent on crossing.

"We don't stop them at the border," Yoder said. "If they want to go through, they go through."

posted 06-07-2005 08:52 AM         

quote:

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Originally posted by Lone Ranger:

Heck, he could of waited her out. lol

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Ranger - she had three kids waiting for their inheritance,,,,and none of them owned a car as nice as the Neon

Norm - don't be shocked,,,,you need to visit Sun City. There are lots of elderly ladies with younger men attached,,,,,,,well,,attached to their bank accounts.