Smuggling suspect held after 100 mph pursuit

UNION-TRIBUNE

8:14 a.m. March 14, 2008

A smuggling suspect in a stolen car with illegal migrants led Chula Vista officers on a 100 mph pursuit Thursday night before crashing in Otay Mesa, Chula Vista police said. Four men were arrested.

A Chula Vista officer saw a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix speeding along Olympic Parkway and tried to stop the driver about 10:15 p.m., Lt. Scott Arsenault said.

The driver allegedly sped onto southbound Interstate 805, turned east on state Route 905 and lost control trying to turn south on Otay Mesa Road. The car went off the road and the driver and one passenger ran into a canyon, Arsenault said.

San Diego police, a helicopter and the California Highway Patrol assisted as a Chula Vista police dog sniffed out the pair and bit one man, believed to have been the driver, in a leg. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Arsenault said the Pontiac may have been stolen from a San Diego car dealership.

He said at least two of the passengers had crossed the border illegally from Mexico. The 18-year-old driver is believed to be a United States citizen who was smuggling the other men.