[SAN DIEGO (Clairemont) Thurs Nov 13, 9:45 p.m.] — A man suspected of driving a stolen SUV was arrested Thursday night after crashing along Interstate 805 and hiding in a backyard shed, according to San Diego police.
Lt. Ramiro Rodriguez said officers first spotted the stolen vehicle driving through Hotel Circle, where they attempted a traffic stop. “The officers attempted to stop the vehicle… [and] a short vehicle pursuit ensued,” he said. Officers quickly canceled the chase when the driver began operating dangerously.
Shortly afterward, officers found the SUV crashed in the iceplant along the northbound 805, just south of the Balboa Avenue exit. The vehicle came to rest up an embankment and had narrowly missed the exposed end of a K-rail protecting a drainage ditch. Airbags deployed, but the suspect was not injured.
With help from the ABLE helicopter, officers searched the adjacent neighborhood. Residents along Othello came outside after hearing sirens, and one family checked their doorbell camera — spotting a man sprinting across the street into their bushes.
Jeremy Jeffries, the homeowner, said he went to grab a shovel from his backyard shed and instead found the suspect inside. “I opened up the shed and there was a guy in there,” he said. “I shut it right away… and just started yelling, ‘Police, help, help, help.’” Jeffries and a friend held the shed door closed while calling for officers.
Jeffries said the man wasn’t combative, just repeatedly pleading, “Let me out, dude, please,” while officers were being flagged down. Police arrived moments later, ordered the man out of the shed, and took him into custody without further incident.
Lt. Rodriguez confirmed the SUV had been reported stolen several days earlier. The suspect is expected to be booked into jail on charges related to the stolen vehicle.
