Authorities identified a man Friday who allegedly led deputies on a meandering chase from Jamul to the South Bay, before being apprehended at a memorial service.
Jose Alfredo Espinoza, 40, allegedly fled a traffic stop in the 14000 block of state Route 94 shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday, according to sheriff’s officials.
Espinoza, the subject of a felony warrant charging him with issuing criminal threats, fled to the west at generally show speeds as deputies trailed his black Nissan Pathfinder. A helicopter also tracked the chase.
After entering eastern Chula Vista, Espinoza crisscrossed various neighborhoods and briefly traversed stretches of SR-125 and Interstate 805.
At about 11:15 a.m., Espinoza pulled over in the 1200 block of Fourth Avenue, jumped out of the SUV and ran into a nearby Catholic church that was hosting a memorial service, Lt. Kevin Menzies said.
“The parishioners assisted the deputies and officers from the Chula Vista Police Department in directing them toward the suspect, who was taken into custody near the front of the church,” the lieutenant said.
Espinoza was booked into San Diego Central Jail on the outstanding warrant, and on suspicion of evading arrest and being under the influence of a controlled substance. He was being held without bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Tuesday.
– City News Service
