Suspected Bank Robber Arrested After Police Chase

A suspected bank robber led police on a high-speed chase Saturday, authorities said.

The hour-long pursuit reached speeds of 95 mph leading officers from Kearny Mesa to Tierrasanta to Santee and Spring Valley. It eventually ended in Balboa Park on Quince Street.

San Diego police said three individuals took off in a silver Dodge van after robbing the Wells Fargo on Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and Ruffin Road in Kearny Mesa. Police said one of the trio told victims they had a gun, but no gun was ever seen during the robbery at 11:11 a.m.

Police then stopped the vehicle in Tierrasanta on Antigua Boulevard and the driver and a passenger exited the vehicle, according to Sgt. Ray Battrick with the San Diego Police Department.

A third individual refused to exit the vehicle even though police had their guns drawn. He jumped into the driver seat and sped away. The chase led police and California Highway Patrol officers east on the state Route 52 to southbound on the 125 freeway to state Route163 northbound.

The driver's car began leaking fluids and the vehicle eventually came to a stop on Quince Street. The suspect again initially refused to exit his vehicle, but he was finally taken into custody a little after noon.

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