Suspect Taken Into Custody In Escondido After Vehicle Pursuit

ESCONDIDO, CA — A man suspected of leading sheriff's deputies on a 56-mile vehicle pursuit in San Diego County Wednesday was taken into custody in Escondido with assistance from personnel from the office's aviation unit.

Deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station's Crime Suppression Team were patrolling the area of 9400 Campo Road in Spring Valley at approximately 1:46 p.m. Wednesday and located a suspect wanted for several outstanding felony warrants driving in the area, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

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The deputies identified the suspect as Jonclaude Smith, who failed to yield after an attempted traffic enforcement stop, prompting a vehicle pursuit, sheriff's officials said.

Smith led deputies on a nearly hourlong chase that required assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies.

Sheriff's officials credited personnel from the office's aviation unit, Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agenciesl, with helping deputies track Smith until he stopped near Deer Springs Road, south of Interstate 15.

Smith was taken into custody and booked at the San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of felony evading, along with several felony warrants.

— City News Service