Armed Auto Theft Suspect Arrested in Stolen Vehicle

[Willowdared]

Armed suspect in series of auto thefts arrested after chase

By Debbi Baker
UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM
10:02 a.m. August 15, 2008
VISTA – An armed man who may be involved in several North County auto thefts was arrested Thursday, along with an 18-year-old woman, after leading deputies on a pursuit in a stolen car, according to authorities.

Deputies conducting surveillance spotted the pair just after 9 a.m. on Woodland Drive, near South Santa Fe Avenue, in an unincorporated area of Vista, said sheriff's Sgt. Rick Persichilli, of the San Diego County Regional Auto Theft Task Force.

They were in a 1998 Honda Civic which had been reported stolen from Bonsall, Persichilli said.
Deputies in unmarked cars followed the Honda to Monte Vista and Foothill drives where a deputy in a patrol car tried to stop the vehicle but its driver took off and a pursuit ensued.

Assisted by a Sheriff's Department helicopter, the Honda was followed to Brengle Terrace Park on Vale Terrace Drive in Vista where the teenager and the 24-year-old driver ran from the car, Persichilli said.

“Deputies saw him get out with a gun in his hand,” Persichilli said.

The area was surrounded by deputies and they were both captured a short time later in the park. The driver had abandoned the loaded gun – which was located on a pathway – and he was found running behind a building, while the teenager was found in a bathroom, Persichilli said.

Both were booked into county jail in Vista. His bail is set at $80,000 and he is being held on suspicion of auto theft, felony evading and weapons violations. Her bail is set at $15,000 and she is being held on suspicion of obstructing an officer and auto theft charges.

The arrest is part of an ongoing operation within the task force that is targeting auto thefts in Carlsbad, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos and Vista.

Since November 2007, the team has arrested about 60 suspected vehicle thieves and recovered more than 160 stolen vehicles valued at more than $1 million in North County, Persichilli said.

[CTR man]

Armed suspect in series of auto thefts arrested after chase

By Debbi Baker
UNION-TRIBUNE BREAKING NEWS TEAM
10:02 a.m. August 15, 2008
VISTA – An armed man who may be involved in several North County auto thefts was arrested Thursday, along with an 18-year-old woman, after leading deputies on a pursuit in a stolen car, according to authorities.

Deputies conducting surveillance spotted the pair just after 9 a.m. on Woodland Drive, near South Santa Fe Avenue, in an unincorporated area of Vista, said sheriff's Sgt. Rick Persichilli, of the San Diego County Regional Auto Theft Task Force.

They were in a 1998 Honda Civic which had been reported stolen from Bonsall, Persichilli said.
Deputies in unmarked cars followed the Honda to Monte Vista and Foothill drives where a deputy in a patrol car tried to stop the vehicle but its driver took off and a pursuit ensued.

Assisted by a Sheriff's Department helicopter, the Honda was followed to Brengle Terrace Park on Vale Terrace Drive in Vista where the teenager and the 24-year-old driver ran from the car, Persichilli said.

“Deputies saw him get out with a gun in his hand,” Persichilli said.

The area was surrounded by deputies and they were both captured a short time later in the park. The driver had abandoned the loaded gun – which was located on a pathway – and he was found running behind a building, while the teenager was found in a bathroom, Persichilli said.

Both were booked into county jail in Vista. His bail is set at $80,000 and he is being held on suspicion of auto theft, felony evading and weapons violations. Her bail is set at $15,000 and she is being held on suspicion of obstructing an officer and auto theft charges.

The arrest is part of an ongoing operation within the task force that is targeting auto thefts in Carlsbad, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos and Vista.

Since November 2007, the team has arrested about 60 suspected vehicle thieves and recovered more than 160 stolen vehicles valued at more than $1 million in North County, Persichilli said.

See, Modesto, CA, (highest auto theft numbers per capita in the nation). This is what you need do do to get out of that ranking.