EAST COUNTY–A man driving a stolen vehicle led authorities on a pursuit Friday in Julian and Borrego Springs, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
The driver, 45-year-old Ernest Bartocci stole a Silver Honda Pilot near the intersection of Palm Canyon Drive and Christmas Circle in the Borrego Springs area of rural San Diego county.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife Officer Fleet located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop of it near the area of Banner Grade and Wynola Rd. in Julian. Bartocci was identified as the driver but fled the scene in the stolen vehicle at a high rate of speed to avoid being arrested.
Shortly after, Sheriff’s Rural Deputy Ballard located Bartocci in the stolen vehicle near Wynola Rd and Highway 78 in Julian and attempted to stop him. Bartocci fled in the vehicle again to avoid being arrested.
During both traffic pursuits that followed the traffic stops made by law enforcement, Bartocci drove the stolen vehicle at a high rate of speed through narrow and winding rural roads, endangering other motorists. For the sake of public safety, the officers and deputies involved terminated the pursuits to avoid putting people’s lives at risk.
Bartocci attempted to hide the stolen vehicle behind buildings near the intersection of Pine Hills Road and Highway 78 in Julian. Residents in the area called in the suspicious activity, alerting deputies to Bartocci’s whereabouts. With the assistance of local residents, Sheriff’s Deputy Anderson located the vehicle and found Bartocci walking among the houses in the area. Bartocci ran from deputies but was taken into custody without incident after a foot pursuit.
