Police chase ends with suspect’s arrest

NATIONAL CITY (CNS) – A brief police chase through Lincoln Acres and National City ended with a crash and a bite from a police dog, deputies said Sunday.

The pursuit began when a sheriff’s deputy tried to pull over a silver Honda vehicle that blew through a stop sign at Ridgeway and Euclid avenues in the unincorporated community of Lincoln Acres around 2:15 p.m. Saturday, sheriff’s Sgt. Leonel Gurrola said.

The driver, later identified as Michael Ojetti, 42, headed north on Euclid Avenue into National City. But he crashed his vehicle into a SUV at the intersection of Euclid Avenue and Plaza Boulevard, Gurrola said. The SUV’s driver sustained minor injuries.

Gurrola said Ojetti ran from the wrecked Honda — leaving a loaded .45-caliber handgun behind.

He was eventually found hiding behind a business at 2401 E. Plaza Blvd., but refused to come out. Law enforcement officers sent in a police dog, which bit Ojetti’s arm, Gurrola said.

Ojetti was then arrested on suspicion of felony evading and possession of a loaded firearm, Gurrola said.