An Idyllwild man was released from the Southwest Detention Center June 1 after serving a year in jail for conviction in February of four felony charges. Sentencing Thursday, May 26, in Riverside County Superior Court included one year in jail and two years probation.

“The defendant had credit for time served of 353 days (177 actual custody and 176 days of credit for time served),” said Riverside County District Attorney Public Information Officer John Hall. “Upon his release from custody on [June 1], he was ordered to participate in a six-month treatment program run by The Salvation Army.”

The four charges against James Daniel Ellis, 43, were evading arrest; taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent; purchasing, receiving a stolen vehicle; and manufacturing, importing, selling or possessing any leaded cane. California is the only state where expandable batons (leaded canes) are illegal to both own and carry.

He also admitted to two enhanced violations of repeated vehicle theft.

According to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Brandi Swan of the Media Information Bureau, at about 5:41 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2001, “deputies from the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station located a stolen vehicle in the area of River Road and Country Club in Norco. A short pursuit ensued, but for the safety of the public, the pursuit was terminated.”

She said about 30 minutes later, the sheriff’s “dispatch received a call for service of the stolen vehicle pulling into a driveway in the 1300 block of 7th Street in Norco. Deputies responded to that area and the suspect fled on foot.

“A search of the area was conducted and the suspect was located at Valley View and Detroit in Norco. The suspect was arrested for evading, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of a dangerous weapon.”

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office filed the four felony charges as stated in the second paragraph.