Man attempts to escape police by jumping from rooftop to rooftop in Oceanside neighborhood

OCEANSIDE (KUSI) – Oceanside Police Department responded to a residential burglary alarm Thursday morning in the 1900 block of S. Pacific St. 

Upon arrival, officers believed they heard someone inside. While attempting to contain the residence, a subject fled from the house and began jumping from rooftop to rooftop in a southerly direction.

Multiple units responded to assist including ASTREA and a K-9 Unit.

While officers were coordinating a search for the burglary suspect, OPD dispatch received a 911 call from an adult female victim who reported that as she was just backing out of her residence in the 1900 block of S. Tremont, a male subject opened her passenger door, sat down, and demanded she drive him from the area.

The female resisted violently by kicking and punching the suspect until he exited her vehicle.

A short while later, plain clothes detectives noticed an individual matching the suspect description inside the Bull Taco restaurant at 1815 S. Coast Hwy.

Units responded and detained the subject identified as 36-year-old James Lance Craig.

Craig was subsequently identified by officers as the burglary suspect as well as (by the female victim) the person who attempted to carjack her vehicle. 

Craig will be booked on multiple charges including attempted carjacking, residential burglary, and a probation violation.