Chaos ensued in Fallbrook yesterday morning as a routine response to a suspicious individual spiraled into a high-speed pursuit spanning several cities. Shortly after 10 AM, the Fallbrook Sheriff's Substation deputies set out to investigate a call about a possible armed individual on South Stage Coach Lane. According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, the man, later identified as Matthew Alms, seemed determined to evade authorities, leading them on a wild chase through the streets of Vista, Carlsbad, and Oceanside, prompting concerns for public safety.
Efforts to calmly end the encounter quickly turned futile as Alms refused to stop his vehicle willingly. The Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter was called upon to track the suspect from above while deputies on the ground attempted to keep pace. Deputies were eventually able to strategically deploy tire deflation devices to bring an end to the chase. The device successfully incapacitated Alms's vehicle around the 5400 block of Rainbow Heights Road.
The standoff continued even after Alms's mobility had been constrained; he resisted deputies' orders to exit his vehicle. Ultimately, less lethal measures were employed to ensure his compliance. Upon exiting the vehicle, Alms sustained minor injuries and was subsequently transported to a local hospital for treatment before his booking at the Vista Detention Facility.
The charges against Alms are severe, including felony evading, narcotics, and paraphernalia possession, alongside an outstanding felony warrant.
