On Tuesday, Oct. 20 shortly after 7 p.m., Vernon Leslie Harris IV, 40, became involved in a verbal dispute with another male regarding his driving behavior on Par Drive in unincorporated La Mesa.
During the incident, Harris observed the victim photographing his pickup truck with a cellphone. Harris exited his vehicle, approached the victim, forcibly took the cellphone from the victim’s hand, and fled the scene.
Deputies responded and used tracking information to locate the victim’s phone in the 400 block of El Cajon Boulevard in the city of El Cajon.
Deputies observed Harris’ pickup truck and attempted a traffic stop. Harris failed to yield, and a vehicle pursuit ensued.
The pursuit lasted more than 1 hour and 40 minutes, during which Harris ran at least one stop sign and one red light and swerved across multiple traffic lanes. The pursuit covered approximately 50 miles and reached speeds up to 60 mph. With assistance from allied law enforcement agencies, deputies deployed three tire deflation devices, successfully bringing the pursuit to a peaceful end.
Harris was arrested on suspicion of robbery, evading a peace officer, obstructing a peace officer, and committing a felony while out on bail. He was transported to the San Diego Central Jail.
Anyone with further information regarding this incident is urged to call the San Diego Sheriff’s Rancho San Diego Station at (619) 660-7090. .
Suspicious death
On Friday, Oct. 30, deputies from the Santee Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of a medical aid in the 8500 block of Graves Avenue in Santee.
Deputies and the Santee Fire Department arrived and transported the individual to a local hospital, where they later died due to injuries of a suspicious nature. The San Diego Sheriff’s Homicide Unit responded and assumed responsibility for the investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Unit at 858‑285‑6330 or after hours at 858‑868‑3200. You may remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (888) 580‑8477.
