Suspect held after traffic stop turns into manhunt

A routine traffic stop in Pomona turned into a three-hour manhunt early Saturday morning after a man allegedly struggled with a police officer and briefly took possession of the officer’s handgun before fleeing, authorities said.

Albert Manuel Arellanes, 28, of Montclair was arrested after an extensive search involving four police departments. He was captured while allegedly attempting to steal a car and flee, then was booked on charges of attempted murder, said Sgt. Jeff Anderson of the Pomona Police Department.

Arellanes, a parolee, was pulled over about 12:40 a.m. Saturday for allegedly driving recklessly near Kingsley and North San Antonio avenues. He fled, then struggled with the police officer who pursued him, at one point gaining control of the officer’s gun, Anderson said.

The weapon fired once during the struggle, but no one was injured and the officer regained his gun.