A man from Valley Center has been arrested for multiple counts of assaulting sheriff’s deputies with a deadly weapon after he intentionally rammed his Dodge Ram Dually Pick-up truck into occupied patrol vehicles. On Sunday, February 13th, 2022, at about 7:43 p.m., David Salas Junior (DOB: 12/18/1974) and his fifteen-year-old son attended a super bowl party in the 14000 block of Rancho Copa, in Valley Center. Salas Junior was heavily intoxicated and became involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical with other party goers. Witnesses to the fight called 911 and several people attempted to hold Salas Junior down as deputies responded. Salas Junior was able to break free from those restraining him and ran to his dually pick-up truck. As Salas Junior was driving away, he collided with another vehicle on the property and continued without stopping.
Responding deputies observed Salas Junior driving away from the party and attempted a traffic stop on his vehicle. Salas Junior failed to stop his vehicle and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, Salas Junior stopped his vehicle several times, but refused to comply with deputy commands. On two separate occasions, Salas Junior backed his vehicle into occupied sheriff’s patrol vehicles, rendering them inoperable.
Salas Junior finally stopped his vehicle in the front yard of his residence, located in the 2600 block of West Duro Road, on the San Pasqual Indian Reservation. Salas Junior and his son refused to exit the vehicle and a stand-off ensued, which lasted just under an hour. Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail personnel responded to the scene to assist. Communication was established by telephone with Salas Junior and deputies used de-escalation techniques as they tried to encourage him to peacefully surrender. Salas Junior eventually agreed to surrender.
Pursuant to deputy commands, Salas Junior and his son exited the vehicle and walked half-way between their truck and the deputies with their hands up. Salas Junior suddenly turned around and walked back towards his truck. Fearing Salas Junior would use his vehicle to assault deputies again, deputies ran after him and attempted to pull Salas Junior from the vehicle as he climbed into the driver’s seat. Salas Junior was able to accelerate the vehicle forward into a ditch, partially dragging a deputy in the process. The deputy was not injured and Salas Junior was taken into custody.
Salas and his son were transported by ambulance to the hospital where they were treated for minor injuries. Salas was arrested and charged with an extensive list of felonies, to include multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer. Salas Junior’s bail was set at $1,000,000.
