Theft Suspect Arrested, Another Sought After 60-Mile Pursuit In San Diego County

ALPINE, CA — One theft suspect was arrested and another was still being sought after leading authorities on a roughly 60-mile pursuit.

The pursuit stemmed from the Aug. 19 theft of an enclosed trailer containing a Polaris RZR off-road vehicle, tools and other items valued at about $50,000 from a storage lot in Alpine, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office.

Surveillance video captured the theft and suspect vehicle. Deputies used automated license plate readers to identify the vehicle, its registered owner and the second suspect.

The suspects were identified as Eric Leitzke, 55, and Lindsey Newcomb, 46.

On Thursday, deputies from the Alpine Sheriff's Station Crime Suppression Team arrested Newcomb at a home in Lakeside. Some of the stolen property was found during a search of the home, officials said.

Meanwhile, detectives located a vehicle allegedly used in the theft at a property in the Boulevard area. Before detectives could contact Leitzke, he drove away on a motorcycle.

Detectives followed Leitzke until additional resources, including the sheriff's ASTREA helicopter and Rural Enforcement patrol units, were available to support the operation. Deputies then initiated a traffic stop, but Leitzke failed to yield, officials said. A roughly 60-mile pursuit followed, ending in Pacific Beach after Leitzke eluded deputies in narrow alleys.

During the pursuit, deputies retraced the route and searched Pine Valley Park, where they found a firearm that authorities said Leitzke had discarded.

The investigation was ongoing. Anyone with information about Leitzke's whereabouts was asked to call the sheriff's office at 858-868-3200.