High-speed stolen truck chase ends in Escondido living room crash

A burglary suspect earned a trip to jail by way of a hospital Wednesday when he allegedly led police on a brief high-speed chase through Escondido in a stolen truck and then bailed out of the still-moving vehicle, sending it crashing into a home, Escondido police said.

The suspect was the only person injured in the crash, although an aquarium containing pet turtles was smashed apart when the truck plowed into the home. The only person in the home at the time, a 17-year-old boy, was out of harm’s way in another room, Escondido police Sgt. Craig Miller said.

The pursuit began in the 200 block of North Midway Drive, where officers went about 1:30 p.m. based on a 911 call to arrest 32-year-old Antelmo Cruz in connection with a recent home-invasion crime, Miller said.

Officers arrived as he was driving away in the tan 2001 Toyota pickup truck. When they tried to pull him over, the suspect kept driving and led police on a pursuit west on Grand Avenue, north on Rose Street, and east onto Cherry Place, a cul-de-sac south of Valley Parkway.

The speeding suspect fled to the west on East Grand Avenue for about six blocks before turning right onto North Rose Street and then heading back to the east on nearby Cherry Place, a short road that ends in a cul-de-sac, Miller said.

Approaching the dead-end, Cruz jumped out of the truck, tumbling across the roadway as the vehicle rolled on and smashed into the front of a house. The pickup wound up about halfway inside an unoccupied bedroom, the sergeant said.

Officers were able to arrest Cruz, an Escondido resident, before he could make any further attempts to escape. The suspect was taken to an emergency room for treatment of scrapes and bruises.

Cruz was arrested on suspicion of burglary, evading police and auto theft and booked into county jail.

Pala homicide arrests

San Diego Sheriff’s Homicide detectives Thursday, March 3 arrested Anthony James Boles Sr., 32, and Tyann Louise Allen, 30 for the murder of a 44 year old man found inside their home at Robles Way near Nejo Road on the Pala Indian Reservation.

The alleged crime took place Wednesday night. Boles and Allen said they returned home from dinner only to find the dead man in their garage, according to Pala Tribal Security.

Pala Security Officers entered the home around 11 p.m. Wednesday and found the adult male with obvious signs of trauma to his upper bod, dead of apparent gunshot wounds.

San Diego Sheriff’s Homicide Detail detective then responded to the scene. They established probable cause to arrest Boles and Allen for murder. The motive of the homicide is still under investigation.

The victim will be identified pending notification of the next of kin. The Medical Examiner’s Office will be conducting an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Homicide Detail at (858) 974- 2321/after hours at (858) 565-5200. Calleres may remain anonymous by contacting Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 and be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Escondido Police search for wanted sex offender

The Escondido Police Dept. is seeking the public’s help in finding John Patrick Butler, according to Escondido Police Lt. Ed Varso. Butler is a registered sex offender who failed to update his registration information, as required by law, a felony.

Butler is a white male, 55, 5-feet 8-inches, 200 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. He has a tattoo on his left forearm of moons and stars. He also has a merlin wizard tattoo on his right forearm.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of John Butler is asked to call Escondido Police at (760) 839-4722. An anonymous tip can be left at (760) 743-TIPS (8477).

Suspected Rancho Santa Fe-Solana Beach prowlers arrested

Three men suspected of breaking into four homes in Solana Beach and Rancho Santa Fe in February have been arrested, sheriff’s officials said.

Jonathan Valdez Flores, 18, Joe Estrada, 18, and Joshua Gomez, 20, were arrested in the series of burglaries, which occurred between Feb. 17 and 23. Sheriff’s deputies said more than $100,000 worth of items was stolen from the homes.

Residents returned home during three of the alleged break-ins and found the suspects inside. No one was hurt in any of the burglaries.

The initial investigation led detectives to Flores, who was arrested Feb. 24. Estrada and Gomez were arrested Wednesday.

Detectives found jewelry believed to belong to the burglary victims in Gomez’ home in San Diego, officials said. The two had outstanding warrants for theft and burglary.

The three men were booked on suspicion of burglary and possessing stolen property. Officials said the investigation was continuing and could result in additional arrests.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.