Officer stops vehicle thief in La Jolla

According to City of San Diego police reports at 5:37 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 9, Sgt. P. Phillips saw a male in a stolen pick up truck possibly tampering with vehicles parked in the Park & Ride lot at I-5 and Gilman Drive.

When the officer attempted to stop the truck, the suspect sped off onto southbound I-5 with the vehicle lights out. The pursuit continued onto southbound East Mission Bay Drive and then onto southbound Pacific Highway.

Spike strips were deployed successfully at 4800 Pacific Highway where the suspect drove the truck into a fence and bailed out of the truck.

The suspect, an Hispanic, male who is 48-years-old, was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit. The male was booked into jail for auto theft and other charges.