A probationer who allegedly refused to pull over for a traffic stop in the South Bay, choosing instead to lead police on a chase to the East County, pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of felony evading and misdemeanor possession of cannabis.
Lawrence Ray Johnson Jr., 26, was ordered held on $250,000 bail.
Shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday, an officer tried to pull over Johnson for a minor traffic violation as he drove a black 2006 Ford F150 in the 500 block of E Street in Chula Vista, according to Chula Vista police Capt. Lon Turner.
Johnson fled to the north on Interstate 5 and east on State Route 54, at times reached speeds as high as 100 mph and at one point threw something out of the pickup, Turner said.
Reaching Jamacha Boulevard in Spring Valley, Johnson exited the freeway and managed to lose his pursuers. A witness, however, directed officers to the 9100 block of Harness Street, where they spotted and detained two pedestrians matching the description of the fugitive driver and his passenger, who was questioned and released.
Johnson will be back in court March 27 for a readiness conference and April 2 for a preliminary hearing.
— City News Service
