Suspect arrested after allegedly driving his SUV through a homeless man’s tent

A man accused of driving an SUV through a homeless man’s tent before leading officers on a chase from El Cajon to downtown San Diego was arrested Monday, police said.

A few hours before the chase, officers received a report that a 48-year-old Spring Valley man in a Cadillac Escalade allegedly got into an argument with a homeless man on East Street near Magnolia Avenue and threatened the victim, Lt. Will Guerin said. He then drove over the tent with his SUV, police said.

No injuries were reported.

While officers were on site the next morning to take statements, the suspect drove past the area in his Cadillac at around 5:50 a.m. and witnesses identified the vehicle to officers on scene.

Police tried to stop the driver, but he refused, Guerin said. He drove away and the pursuit began.

The chase was conducted at high speeds and was westbound on Interstate 8, Guerin said. At one point, the driver stopped abruptly, nearly causing a collision with a pursuing police vehicle. He then allegedly attempted to ram the officer’s vehicle.

Investigators said the SUV exited the freeway in downtown San Diego and headed toward the San Diego Police Department headquarters, stopping in front of the building on Broadway near 14th Street.

The man got out of his vehicle and ignored the officers’ instructions, Guerin said. Police deployed a dog unit to arrest the driver.

He was jailed on numerous charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, and evading arrest with wanton disregard for safety.

The incident is under investigation.