Menifee Road Rager Sentenced To 4 Years In Prison

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A felon who shot at a Menifee motorist during a road rage confrontation, then led sheriff's deputies on an eight-mile pursuit before making an unsuccessful attempt to flee on foot, was sentenced Monday to four years in state prison.

Cain Avalos Linares, 27, pleaded guilty in April to assault with a firearm, making criminal threats, felony evading and a sentence-enhancing allegation of firing a gun from a moving vehicle. In exchange for his admissions, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office dropped charges of driving under the influence, possession of a banned weapon and being a convicted felon in possession of a gun.

Superior Court Judge David Gunn certified the terms of the plea agreement and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Michael Moulton, the defendant became incensed during an encounter with another motorist at the intersection of Matthews and Palomar roads about 1:20 p.m. on Jan. 18. The circumstances were unclear, but Moulton said Linares pulled a gun and shouted threats at the victim, then fired a shot.

The motorist called 911, providing a description of the shooter and his vehicle. Moulton said a motorcycle unit spotted the car moments later in the area of Sherman Road and state Route 74, less than a mile west of where the confrontation occurred.

The deputy signaled Linares to stop, but he accelerated instead, heading south on city streets, well over the speed limit, according to the sergeant.

He said other deputies joined the pursuit, which went into the Heritage Lakes neighborhood, where the defendant drove off of paved streets and into the brush alongside the Salt Creek drainage canal at the south end of Menifee. Linares abandoned his car and fled into the canal carrying a rifle, Moulton said.

Deputies established a perimeter and initiated a search of the area, eventually locating Linares trying to hide east of Lindenberger Road. He was arrested without a struggle.

The rifle was found nearby, and inside the defendant's vehicle, deputies seized a stolen handgun and other stolen goods, Moulton said.

According to court records, Linares has a prior conviction for possession of drugs for sale.

— By City News Service