SAN DIEGO–A 49-year-old El Cajon man was arrested after leading Sheriff’s deputies and San Diego police officers on a pursuit on surface streets and freeways in San Diego, investigators said early Sunday morning.
On March 8 at about 8:57 p.m., a sheriff’s deputy was alerted to a stolen vehicle on the License Plate Recognition system installed in his patrol vehicle.
The stolen vehicle, driven by Adrian Atondo, was traveling eastbound on Highway 94 in San Diego. The deputy notified dispatch that he was following a stolen vehicle and requested the assistance of CHP and San Diego police. The driver of the stolen vehicle exited the freeway and began traveling on surface streets in southeastern San Diego. The deputy with the assistance of San Diego Police officers activated their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle, a newer Honda Civic. The driver failed to yield and fled at high rate of speed.
As Atondo was traveling eastbound in the 6200 block of Imperial Avenue, he struck a vehicle traveling on the roadway. Atondo then crossed over the center median and struck two other vehicles traveling on the roadway. After the collisions, Atondo stopped, exited the stolen vehicle and began fleeing on foot. After a short foot pursuit, the deputy and officers apprehended Atondo.
Subsequent to the arrest, Atondo was found to be under the influence of controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine, and had an outstanding felony warrant. The stolen vehicle sustained moderate to major damages. The other three vehicles in the collision sustained moderate damages. One of the drivers that was struck by the stolen vehicle, was transported to the hospital by paramedics after complaining of arm pain. The condition of that driver is not known. Atondo was also transported to the hospital by paramedics after complaining of back pain. Atondo did not sustain any significant injuries in the crash and was released from the hospital.
Atondo was booked into San Diego Central Jail for possession of stolen property, felony evading, outstanding felony warrant, and being under the influence.
