Bail Posted By Man Suspected Of Stalking Ex-Girlfriend, Leading Police Chase In Menifee

MENIFEE, CA — A man who police allege stalked a victim on July 4 in Menifee before leading a chase across Southwest Riverside County was out of custody Tuesday.

Joe Marcos Felix Jr., 26, posted a $50,000 bail bond on Sunday and was released from Southwest Detention Center, jail records show.

He had been booked on suspicion of violating a court order, battery of an ex, disorderly conduct, inflicting corporal injury on a cohabitant, and vandalism, jail records show.

According to the Menifee Police Department, shortly after 8 a.m. July 4, officers received word that Felix was at his ex-girlfriend's property in the 29000 block of Peacock Mountain Drive and possibly armed.

Officers were aware that he had an active restraining order against him, as well as a related warrant, but by the time they reached the residence, he had already left.

A Riverside County sheriff's helicopter crew was alerted that Felix was in the area, prompting the crew to initiate a search.

Felix's vehicle was quickly spotted, and a Menifee police investigator in an unmarked unit began tailing him westbound on Newport Road, heading toward Lake Elsinore.

With assistance from sheriff's deputies, the Menifee officer tried to stop Felix, but he allegedly failed to yield.

The suspect turned around and headed back in the direction of the ex-girlfriend's home.

Using "stop sticks," similar to a spike strip, law enforcement officers disabled Felix's vehicle, bringing the chase to a halt.

No one was injured, including the victim, whose identity was not disclosed.

Background information on Felix was unavailable.

—City News Service contributed to this report.