Police Chase on Busy El Cajon Streets Ends with Arrest

A 33-year-old man who allegedly ran a red light and then twice slammed his pickup truck into pursuing police vehicles during a chase over busy El Cajon streets was in custody today, authorities said.

Officers began chasing the man, later identified as Jerry Lee Hickethier of El Cajon, around 5:45 p.m. Thursday as he drove a small white pickup truck over various downtown roads in the East County city, according to police.

At one point, he came to a sudden stop, put the pickup in reverse and rammed a police vehicle, said El Cajon police Lt. Randy Soulard.

He took off again and when officers attempted to box him in at a busy intersection, he veered onto a sidewalk, struck a light pole and collided with another police vehicle before fleeing once more, this time with a flat tire, Soulard said.

Shortly before 6 p.m., officers used their vehicles to force the truck to a halt as Hickethier attempted to enter Interstate 8 from El Cajon Boulevard, he said.

Hickethier exited his vehicle and approached officers, shouting and refusing to comply with commands, before he was taken to the ground and into custody. Soulard said.

He was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer and evading arrest, Soulard said.

Hickethier was being held without bail at the San Diego Central Jail and was due in court on Tuesday, according to online booking records.