Wanted Man Arrested Following High-Speed Chase In East County

LA MESA, CA – A wanted man in a stolen car led law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase from Santee to La Mesa, sheriff's officials said Thursday.

A deputy attempted to stop a vehicle around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Graves Avenue and Prospect Avenue in Santee for an undisclosed violation, but the driver, later identified as Randy Hanks, 37, failed to yield, according to sheriff's Sgt. Mike McNeill.

The deputy began pursuing the driver but quickly gave up the chase "due to Hanks' reckless driving," McNeill said. A sheriff's helicopter, however, continued to follow the vehicle through Santee, El Cajon and La Mesa.

"Hanks drove at high speeds, passed vehicles on the wrong side of the road, and ran red lights," McNeill said.

Hanks eventually pulled into a parking structure on La Mesa Boulevard, McNeill said. He apparently abandoned the car and ran into an apartment complex on Lemon Avenue, where he was found trying to hide in a laundry room.

Hanks was taken into custody by La Mesa police and was subsequently turned over to deputies from the Santee Station, McNeill said. He has since been booked into jail on suspicion of auto theft, felony evading and other charges.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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