SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A domestic violence suspect led sheriff's deputies on a roundabout road chase from the East County to Bonita on Thursday before ditching his car and making a failed attempt to escape on foot into an apartment complex near Sweetwater Regional Park.
The events that led to the pursuit began shortly after 9:30 a.m., when a woman reported a domestic assault in the 7500 block of Church Street in Lemon Grove, according to sheriff's officials.
The victim's injuries were not believed to be serious. The nature of her relationship to the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Robert Perez, was unclear, Sgt. Kelly Moody said.
Deputies arrived as the suspect was driving off in a black Lincoln. When they tried to pull him over on nearby Broadway, he allegedly refused to yield, instead entering westbound state Route 94 and fleeing at speeds reaching 100 mph, Moody said.
Perez proceeded to lead the pursuing personnel to the south on Interstate 15 and I-5, then east on SR-54 before exiting onto Briarwood Road and driving into a parking lot at a nearby townhouse complex, Moody said.
The suspect then pulled to a stop, got out of his vehicle and ran off into a neighboring apartment complex. There, he allegedly entered an occupied unit, confronted a resident and ordered him to remain inside.
"Eventually, the resident was able to run (outside) and alert officers searching for Perez," Moody said.
At that point, deputies entered the man's apartment and took the suspect into custody without further incident.
Perez was booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of burglary, domestic assault, evasion of police and false imprisonment. He was being held on $225,000 bail.
Chopper 8 video of the chase
