Passenger Who Fled Vehicle During Traffic Stop Had Warrant For His Arrest
LAKESIDE–A passenger in a vehicle that ran a stop sign fled after Sheriff’s deputies stopped the vehicle in Lakeside.
The suspect, identified as Benito Villa, age 41, was arrested and booked into San Diego Central Jail for the warrant, trespassing, resisting a police officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
On September 24, at about 2:15 pm, deputies from the Lakeside Substation were conducting traffic enforcement at Ashwood Street and Willows Road in Lakeside.
While monitoring the intersection, deputies observed a vehicle run the stop sign traveling southbound on Ashwood Street. Deputies pulled over the vehicle about a mile down the road next to El Capital High School. A male passenger ran out of the vehicle and jumped the fence entering school grounds. School was being released at the time and a temporary lockdown was placed. Deputies engaged in a foot pursuit of the male who later peacefully surrendered a short distance away. No students were harmed or endangered during the incident.
A deputy assigned to the school was also present. It was determined the male passenger had a warrant for his arrest. A Sheriff’s handler and his K-9 partner conducted an “article search” of the area where the suspect ran and located a methamphetamine pipe.
During the incident, a deputy injured his leg and was transported to the hospital. The extent of the injury is unknown at this time.