A Corona, California, driver became an unlikely crime-fighter last week when two police officers commandeered his pickup truck to chase down a fleeing sex offender.
The motorist, whose identity has not been released, was simply in the right place at the right time when officers flagged him down during a frantic pursuit of Ivan Gallardo Lopez, 38, a registered sex offender from Riverside. The chase erupted after Lopez allegedly tried to secretly film a teenage girl inside a store dressing room and bolted when police arrived.
Bodycam footage released by the Corona Police Department shows the moment an officer climbed into the stranger’s vehicle. “Where to?” the driver asked, according to the recording. “Keep going down,” an officer responded, directing him toward Lopez.
With the citizen behind the wheel, officers gained ground on the fleeing suspect and eventually cornered him. The footage captures officers ordering Lopez to put his hands behind his back before placing him under arrest. “You’re the man, dude,” someone can be heard saying afterward, giving the driver a well-deserved shoutout.
The incident began when police responded to a report at the 1200 block of Magnolia Avenue. Lopez, 38, had allegedly slipped his cellphone beneath a fitting room door while an unsuspecting teenage girl was changing clothes. When officers arrived, he ran, triggering the foot chase that would take its unexpected turn.
Investigators later discovered Lopez was already a registered sex offender, deepening concerns about the alleged crime. He was arrested on multiple charges related to child annoyance and unlawful recording. A magistrate approved a $1 million bail enhancement, and Lopez remained behind bars at the time of the department’s announcement.
Detectives now believe the dressing-room incident may not have been isolated. Corona police said they fear there could be additional victims and are urging anyone who may have encountered Lopez under similar circumstances to come forward.
The department took to Facebook to celebrate both the arrest and the mystery motorist whose quick thinking helped make it possible. “Sometimes catching a suspect takes more than just running shoes!” the Corona Police Department wrote. “A huge thank you to the community member who stepped up to assist our officers!” the department added. “Moments like these highlight the importance of the partnership between our community and law enforcement.”
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to identify any additional potential victims.
