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East County News Service
May 5, 2016 (La Mesa) — La Mesa Police tried to stop a vehicle for an equipment violation in the Costco Parking lot this morning, but the suspect put his Toyota Camry into reverse quickly, causing officers to have to jump out of the way, according to an police. He fled, leading officers on a brief pursuit before he got out of the vehicle and ran behind businesses along Fletcher Parkway.
La Mesa Police officers, with help from the Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter and canine units searched the area. Several citizens assisted police by reporting sightings of the suspect as he ran through apartment buildings, over fences, through canyons, and into backyards.
He was found hiding in a covered Jacuzzi spa in the backyard of a home on Guessman Avenue in La Mesa. Once located, he ignored commands to surrender and was ultimately bitten in the leg by a police dog.
The suspect suffered minor injuries from the canine bite and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. No officers were injured during the event.
The suspect, Joseph Swartz, 26, will be booked into San Diego County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, possession of drugs for sales, evading police in a vehicle, and resisting arrest.
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