Suspect Escapes After Long Police Pursuit That Began in Coronado

Story reported and written by Khari Johnson, with additional reporting from City News Service.

An auto theft suspect led authorities on a meandering chase Thursday that began in Coronado, went through Imperial Beach, then traversed the South Bay and wound up in San Diego, where the driver managed to escape on foot.

The pursuit, which involved the California Highway Patrol, Coronado police and sheriff's deputies, resulted in no reported injuries.

The high-speed pursuit began just before 7:30 a.m. in the Silver Strand area and proceeded on State Route 75 south into IB, where the fleeing suspect sideswiped a deputy's cruiser, sheriff's Lt. Mario Zermeno said.

The deputy's cruiser was hit near the corner of Saturn Boulevard and Palm Avenue as the suspect pushed past traffic to get on Interstate 5, said Lt. Marco Garmo.

The chase continued on Interstate 5, east on State Route 54 and north again on I-805, Zermeno said. 

Eventually, the driver lost pursuing officers in morning rush-hour traffic.

Police found the stolen sedan abandoned in the area of 34th Street and El Cajon Boulevard later this morning, the lieutenant said.

No description of the suspect is available at this time, Garmo said.

City News Service contributed to this report.