SAN MARCOS — A 19-year-old suspected car thief was arrested Sunday after allegedly leading San Diego County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a pursuit through San Marcos before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot through a park, authorities said.
Johan Carranza Acosta was arrested after an Automatic License Plate Recognition system alerted deputies to a stolen white 2022 Kia Forte traveling northbound on Nordahl Road at Montiel Road, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies located the vehicle in the Stater Bros. parking lot at 1330 E. Mission Road and attempted a traffic stop.
Instead, Acosta allegedly fled, leading deputies on a pursuit at speeds of up to 80 mph before stopping at Hollandia Park and attempting to run away, authorities said. Deputies apprehended him after a brief foot pursuit.
Deputies said Acosta showed signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance and was taken to Kaiser Hospital for medical clearance.
He was later booked into the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of evading a peace officer with willful disregard for public safety, auto theft and possession of a stolen vehicle.
