The suspect accused of shooting at a Carlbad police car during a pursuit on Wednesday was arrested Thursday, the department announced.
Cameron Avery Valentine, 27, was arrested at a gas station in Clairemont Mesa with the help of San Diego police, Carlsbad police Capt. Neil Gallucci said.
On Wednesday, Valentine was suspected of leading police on high-speed road chase following a report of a car theft and vehicle break in on the 2300 block of La Costa Avenue in Carlsbad.
A witness described seeing the possible perpetrator driving off in a light-colored truck, possibly a Ford Ranger, Carlsbad police Lt. Mickey Williams said.
A short time later, an officer spotted a pickup matching that description and tried to pull it over on Palomar Airport Road. The driver refused to yield and sped off.
As the officer gave chase, the suspect in the truck fired seven or eight rounds toward the pursuing squad car, striking the front of it several times. The unscathed officer refrained from returning fire for public-safety reasons, Williams told reporters on Wednesday.
“We are very grateful our officer was not injured during this incident,” Gallucci said. “The welfare of our community and our officers is our top priority.”
The chase continued into San Marcos at speeds exceeding 100 mph. After several miles, the police car broke down in the area of Discovery Way, which allowed the suspect to get away.
Valentine was believed to be the only person in the truck at the time of the shooting. He was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, vehicle burglary and felony evading.
Valentine will taken to the Vista Detention Facility.
