San Diego County Sheriff's Department: Search For Armed Suspect And Vehicle Pursuit – Rancho Santa Fe

Press release from San Diego County Sheriff's Department:

10/28/2021 4:53 PM

On Thursday, October 28th, just after 7:30am, security officers employed by Rancho Santa Fe Patrol called the San Diego Sheriff's Communications Center to request assistance. They responded to a possible solo vehicle collision near a residence located in the 16000 block of Puerta Del Sol in the unincorporated area of Rancho Santa Fe. Upon arrival with fire department personnel, they observed a white male adult, later identified as 48-year-old Jason Collins (DOB 10/16/1973), sitting in the driver's seat of the parked vehicle with an unknown female passenger. A handgun was observed inside the vehicle. Collins, who was awoken by the fire department's response, told them to "get back." Multiple patrol deputies from the North Coastal Sheriff's Station arrived and established a perimeter around the vehicle. Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter and a Sheriff's canine unit responded to assist. ASTREA was able to see inside the vehicle, observing the male and female were no longer inside.

At this time, multiple residents began calling the Sheriff's Communications Center stating a male matching the description of Collins had been seen on their property. While deputies were continuing their search for Collins, a citizen living in the 16000 block of Via Del Alba reported a male matching the description of Collins had just stolen her vehicle, a 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. A deputy observed Collins exiting the citizen's driveway in the stolen vehicle at a high rate of speed. The deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop, however, Collins failed to yield and a traffic pursuit ensued.

Deputies were able to deploy a spike strip, flattening the vehicle's tires. The vehicle slowed down and came to a stop in the 14000 block of El Camino Real in the City of San Diego. Deputies conducted a high-risk vehicle stop and Collins was taken into custody without further incident. He was not in possession of a firearm and he claimed the one previously seen in his possession was a toy. It was later determined the unknown female seen with Collins earlier in the morning is his girlfriend. She was unharmed and she is not considered a suspect. No members of the public or Sheriff's personnel were injured during this incident.

Collins was arrested and booked into the Vista Detention Facility for California Penal Code sections 459 - Burglary, 10851(A) - Take Vehicle Without Owner's Consent, and California Vehicle Code section 2800.2 (A) - Evade Peace Officer with Wanton Disregard for Public Safety.

Media Contact: Sergeant Luke Berhalter
Email Address of Contact: Lucas.Berhalter@sdsheriff.org
Name of Station/Unit and Contact Phone Number: North Coastal Sheriff's Station (760) 966-3500

This press release was produced by San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.