CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : ELSINORE : Suspect and Deputy Fight It Out in Car

A drug suspect and a sheriff’s deputy grappled with a knife during a harrowing two-mile ride in the suspect’s car, authorities said. Neither the suspect nor the deputy was seriously injured in the fracas. However, the suspect was hurt later when he lost control of his car and crashed, according to Riverside County sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Jim Domino. Domino said the incident began when the deputy, who was not identified, stopped a 1990 Ford Mustang and discovered an undisclosed amount of methamphetamines inside. A struggle ensued and the driver, Ruben Danny Correa, 22, of Whittier, allegedly started the car and drove off with the deputy inside. Domino said Correa tried to stab the deputy, but the officer wrested control of the knife from him. After two miles, the deputy got out of the car and Correa drove off. The officer was only slightly injured in the struggle. Correa lost control of his car about two hours later in the Rancho California area, about 20 miles from the spot where he had been pulled over by the deputy, Domino said. Domino said Correa would be booked for investigation of drug possession and assault on a peace officer.