By Gina Yarbrough
Spring Valley, CA– A 29-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after allegedly leading deputies on a nearly hour-long, 56-mile pursuit across San Diego County, authorities said.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the pursuit began about 1:46 p.m. when deputies of the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station Crime Suppression Team were conducting proactive patrols near the 9400 block of Campo Road in Spring Valley. Deputies spotted Jonclaude Smith driving in the area and were aware he had several outstanding felony warrants and was considered a person of interest in multiple criminal investigations.
Deputies attempted a traffic enforcement stop, but Smith allegedly failed to yield, prompting a pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
With assistance from the Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter unit, deputies tracked the vehicle until Smith eventually surrendered near Deer Springs Road and south Interstate 15, authorities said.
Smith was taken into custody and arrested on suspicion of felony evading and multiple felony warrants. He was booked into the San Diego Central Jail.