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Public Safety

Auto-Theft Suspect Arrested After Attempted Getaway

An auto-theft suspect made a botched attempt to evade arrest today, crashing the stolen car he was driving on an East County street and then trying in vain to escape on foot along with a companion, a sheriff's lieutenant said.

A deputy spotted the stolen red 1997 Honda Accord on Broadway in Lemon Grove about 8:45 a.m. and tried to pull it over, Lt. Jim Duffy said.

Instead of yielding, the suspect, who had a female passenger in the sedan with him, sped off, according to Duffy.

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A short distance away, the Accord skidded off the roadway and smashed into a traffic signal near State Route 94. The driver and his companion then jumped out and bolted.

Deputies caught both a short time later and took them into custody. The man, whose name was not immediately available, was taken to county jail for booking on suspicion of auto theft, the lieutenant said.

The woman was detained for questioning. It was unclear if she would also be arrested.

No injuries were reported, Duffy said.

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