SAN DIEGO (CBS 8/CNS) - A 28-year-old man assaulted an Uber driver in the East Village early Wednesday and stole his car, but was arrested after crashing nearby a short time later.
The suspect approached the 40-year-old victim in a parking lot at the corner of 10th Avenue and E Street around 2:15 a.m., punched him in the face and drove away in his Nissan Versa, San Diego police Officer Dino Delimitros said. But he didn't get far.
The suspect crashed the stolen car into a vehicle in front of the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina on West Harbor Drive, then ran into the hotel lobby and started banging on doors, Delimitros said.
The suspect tried to hide in the north tower, but police said he drew too much attention.
"A guest on the 25th floor called down to security and said an unknown male was trying to get into their room. Officers went up to the 25th floor and made contact with the suspect there. A brief struggle ensued and the suspect was tased," Said Lt. Dan Smyth, San Diego Police Department.
CBS News 8 was there when police later caught up to the suspect. He continued to yell at our camera as he was placed into a police cruiser.
Responding police officers took him into custody at the hotel following a brief struggle, according to the officer. The suspect's name was not immediately available.
The Uber driver is expected to recover, after being hit on the head.