INDUSTRY – Officials filed charges against two Hemet men Friday in connection with a lengthy car chase and shoot-out with California Highway Patrol officers, authorities said.
Arthur Reyes, 20, was charged with four counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, four counts of assault with a deadly weapon, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and felony evading arrest, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Capt. Mike Parker said in a written statement.
Thomas Cline, 19, was charged with felony evading arrest and auto theft, he added.
*A rear passenger in the car, an 18-year-old Hemet man, was also wounded in the shooting, Lt. David Coleman of the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau said.
No charges were filed against him, however the investigation was ongoing, the lieutenant said.*
The incident began when Banning police spotted the two men driving in a stolen car around 7 p.m. Tuesday and started a pursuit, officials said.
As the chase reached freeway, CHP officers took over the pursuit, sheriff’s and CHP officials said.
“Ultimately, in the City of Industry, the suspects pulled off the freeway and ran out of gas (at Crossroads Parkway North and Workman Mill Road),” Parker said. “The front seat passenger suspect then began shooting at CHP officers.”
The shooter was later identified as Reyes.
Officers returned fire, striking Reyes and the rear passenger, officials said.
The driver, Cline, fled from the car but was arrested a short distance away, officials said.
According to sheriff’s booking records, Reyes was being held in lieu of $1 million bail, while Cline was being held in lieu of $25,000 bail. Information on their next court appearances was not available.

PHOTOS of Arthur Reyes courtesy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.