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Man pleads not guilty to stabbings, police chase

A man accused of leading police on a chase after officers tried to stop him in connection with two stabbings in San Diego is scheduled to be arraigned Monday at the downtown courthouse.

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A man accused of stabbing his girlfriend and a friend in separate attacks before leading police on a chase pleaded not guilty Monday to 18 charges, including attempted murder, and was ordered held on $1 million bail.

Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello alleged that Anthony Stromoski, 29, was involved in an abusive relationship with his girlfriend, holding her against her will and threatening to kill her.

On Nov. 20, Stromoski allegedly stabbed the woman in the leg during an argument in a car, Pirrello said, and was at large when he allegedly stabbed a friend in the chest last Thursday, the prosecutor told Judge David Szumowski.

A patrol officer spotted Stromoski driving a stolen Chevrolet van and pulled him over in the area of Cole Street and Conrad Avenue shortly before 1:30 p.m., according to San Diego police.

The suspect initially yielded, then drove off again, prompting a chase that lasted several minutes, SDPD spokesman Humberto Hernandez said.

Stromoski fled to the southwest toward Interstate 5 before crashing the vehicle into a curb, disabling it. He then jumped out and made a failed attempt to escape on foot. He was arrested on Caminito Arenoso, near Caminito Plomada, in the Clairemont area, Hernandez said.

Stromoski -- who was on probation for assault -- faces about 35 years in prison if convicted of attempted murder, domestic violence, making criminal threats, false imprisonment, auto theft and trying to dissuade a witness, the prosecutor said.

A status conference was set for Dec. 30 and a preliminary hearing for Jan. 14.

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