Police Chase Ends in Lemon Grove

An auto-theft suspect led deputies on a chase from Lakeside to Lemon Grove in a stolen vehicle today before stopping outside a home-improvement store and refusing to surrender until a service dog’s persuasive bite changed his mind.

A caller reported seeing the man apparently trying to burglarize a car in the 1000 block of Barona Road shortly before 12:30 p.m., according to sheriff’s officials.

Patrol personnel went to the rural area, spotted the vehicle in question being driven off by a man and tailed him along Wildcat Canyon Road, Lt. Jim Bolwerk said.

The suspect continued to the south on state Route 67 into El Cajon, where the deputies tried to pull the driver over. He refused to yield and fled west on Interstate 8 at speeds up to 80 mph, Bolwerk said.

In La Mesa, the fleeing man merged onto southbound SR-125, then entered SR-94 and headed west for several more miles before exiting.

He soon turned into a parking lot in front of a Home Depot in the 7500 block of Broadway and pulled to a stop.

The suspect ignored repeated orders to exit the vehicle and give himself up until deputies sicced a police dog on him. He then complied with their commands and was taken into custody a few minutes before 1 p.m., Bolwerk said.

Medics tended to the suspect, whose name was not immediately available, at the scene before he was taken to county jail for booking on suspicion of auto theft and felony evasion of peace officers, the lieutenant said.