Pala standoff ends, suspect surrenders to law enforcement
PALA (KUSI) — 3:45 p.m. — A man who refused to yield to deputies Thursday led a North County road chase that ended near the Pala Casino and led to a roughly five-hour standoff that ended with his arrest.
The pursuit began in the San Marcos area about 10 a.m., according to sheriff’s officials.
The suspect, whose name was not immediately available, fled to the north and east before doubling back to the west on state Route 76. At Pala Temecula Road and Pala Mission Circle, he pulled to a halt but refused to exit his pickup truck.
Deputies with their guns drawn took up positions around the vehicle and ordered the man to get out and surrender, but he refused.
The suspect was armed with a large rock and doused himself with gasoline as he sat behind the wheel of the stationary truck, according sources on scene.
The stalemate continued into the late afternoon, with crisis negotiators working to persuade the man to surrender. He was taken into custody shortly before 3:30 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
It was unclear why deputies tried to pull over the man in the first place.
2:35 p.m. — A high-speed pursuit on westbound state-Route 76 ended near Pala Casino in North County Thursday, where the male driver refused to surrender to police.
The man refused to yield to Sheriff’s deputies in the San Marcos area around 10 a.m. Thursday, according Sheriff’s officials.
The suspect drove north and east before doubling back and driving westbound on state Route 76. The man stopped near Pala Temecula Road and Pala Mission Circle but refused to exit the vehicle.
Deputies surrounded the vehicle with guns drawn and ordered the man to surrender. The standoff was ongoing as of 11:30 a.m.
San Diego Sheriff’s and California Highway Patrol were on scene and a crisis negotiator was called in to assist.
It was unclear why deputies attempted to pull the man over in the first place.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
