Police Nab 'Wanted Violent Felon' Tied To Pass Area Crimes

BANNING, CA — A man accused of carrying out a crime spree in the Pass Area is behind bars Friday. Sheriff's officials say 23-year-old Tyrice Lee Nelson was caught this week after a month-long investigation.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Julio Olguin, deputies had been "attempting to locate a wanted violent felon who committed multiple crimes in the cities of Banning, Beaumont and San Jacinto."

"Due to the violent nature of the suspect, his past criminal history and information the suspect was armed, the San Jacinto Station requested assistance from the Riverside County Special Enforcement Bureau who assumed the investigation," Olguin said in a news release.

Nelson was ultimately spotted Wednesday around 9:15 a.m. on Sanderson Avenue in Hemet, Olguin said. The felon took off running when police tried to contact him, but he was ultimately caught and arrested.

Records indicate he was taken to the Banning jail where he was booked on suspicion of several felonies, including evading arrest, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and domestic violence.

His bail was set at $200,000, according to jail records.