Car Stolen by Parolee Fleeing Deputies Found, Police Say

The car stolen by a parolee who who had just threatened to kill an Orange County sheriff’s deputy was found Wednesday parked illegally, authorities said.

At 9:30 a.m., a parking patrol officer who checked the license plate of a white Ford Mustang in the 1200 block of South Everglade Street learned that it had been reported stolen in Newport Beach, Police Sgt. Andy Gonis said.

Police and deputies said the man suspected of stealing the car is James Jay Hunt, 41, also allegedly identified through fingerprints and videotape as the gunman who pointed a blue steel revolver in the face of a sheriff’s deputy Monday and told her that he would shoot her in the head if she stopped him from getting away.

The gunman then shot the front tires of the deputy’s patrol car and fled to Newport Beach, where he forced his way into a home, tied up a woman and stole her Mustang.

“We know that he left the car and probably fled on foot,” Gonis said. “So there’s a chance that he might still be in the area.”

Authorities set up visual surveillance of the area where the car was parked, but Hunt did not show up and they impounded the car. Newport police Wednesday planned to return the car to its owner, whose name was not released.

Hunt, who police said has lived in Orange County in the past, has spent time in prison for armed robbery, assaults, narcotics violations, burglary and possession of stolen property. In December, he was paroled after serving time for vehicle theft, burglary and receiving stolen property, according to the California Department of Corrections records.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about him to call (714) 647-7055.