On Saturday, January 17, just after 9:00 p.m., deputies from the Vista Sheriff’s Station observed a Ford Ranger traveling at a high rate of speed and weaving through traffic in the 800 block of North Santa Fe Avenue in the city of Vista. Deputies initiated a traffic enforcement stop, but the driver refused to yield to the emergency lights and sirens.
A vehicle pursuit ensued, traveling less than one mile at low speeds, reaching a maximum of approximately 29 mph.
The driver, identified as Efrain Bernardino Gomez (04/17/97), eventually stopped the vehicle in a residential driveway in the 800 block of North Citrus Avenue. Gomez failed to comply with verbal commands given by deputies and attempted to flee the scene on foot.
As deputies attempted to take Gomez into custody, a physical struggle occurred. During the altercation, Gomez grabbed the barrel of a deputy’s firearm and unsuccessfully attempted to pull it from the deputy’s grasp. A Conductive Energy Device (Taser) was deployed to subdue Gomez, and he was successfully taken into custody without further incident.
There were no injuries to deputies, and no property damage occurred during the incident.
Gomez was transported to the Vista Detention Facility and booked on multiple felony charges including DUI and felony resisting arrest.
Media Contac: Lieutenant Noah Zarnow
Noah.Zarnow@sdsheriff.org
