Just before 11:00 p.m. last night, a deputy was working patrol in the area of E. Vista Way and Townsite Drive in the city of Vista when he observed two suspicious vehicles. The deputy attempted to make a traffic stop on one of the vehicles, a pick-up truck. The driver would not yield for the deputy’s lights and siren. A short pursuit ensued, during which the deputy noticed the second suspicious vehicle was following him. The deputy requested immediate back-up and directed one of the responding deputies to stop the second vehicle, as he continued to pursue the pick-up truck.
Other patrol units, as well as aerial support from Sheriff’s ASTREA arrived. Both the second vehicle and pick-up truck yielded in the area of Palm Drive and Stadden Way, where a high-risk traffic stop was conducted on both vehicles. The driver of the second vehicle followed directions, exited the vehicle and was detained for further questioning. The driver of the pick-up truck and sole occupant refused to follow instructions and would not exit the vehicle. After numerous orders to exit the vehicle, deputies used a bean bag shotgun to break out one of the windows so they could deploy pepper ball rounds into the vehicle. After deploying the pepper ball into the vehicle, the driver fled and hid still refusing to follow directions from deputies. ASTREA directed deputies to a nearby car where the suspect was hiding. The suspect continued to refuse deputy’s directions. A deputy deployed bean bag rounds at the suspect striking him. He surrendered and was taken into custody.
The 17 years old male suspect was treated at Tri-City Hospital for minor injuries and later booked into Juvenile Hall for felony evasion. The driver of the second vehicle was released without charges.
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