What began as an armed stickup at a San Marcos taco stand late last Saturday turned into a nearly 47-minute, countywide high-speed pursuit that finally ended where it started, back in San Marcos. Authorities said no one was hurt, and the two men allegedly behind the holdup are now in custody as the case heads toward arraignment.
Robbery call and countywide chase
According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called around 10:14 p.m. after a 911 report of an armed robbery at the Quesadilla Taco Stand near South Santa Fe Avenue and Smilax Road in San Marcos. Before deputies arrived, the suspects took off in a vehicle. Investigators said license plate information was quickly obtained and broadcast to law enforcement agencies across the county.
Chula Vista officers try to stop the vehicle
As the suspect car traveled north, officers with the Chula Vista Police Department spotted it and attempted to stop it at about 11:35 p.m. The driver refused to pull over and sped off, triggering a pursuit that ran through much of San Diego County and lasted roughly 47 minutes, as reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune. The outlet reported that multiple agencies helped track the vehicle as it moved along the Interstate 5 corridor.
High-risk stop and arrests
The chase ended back in San Marcos with what deputies called a high-risk traffic stop in the 300 block of Richmar Avenue near Pico Avenue, where two males were taken into custody, according to the sheriff's office. Both were later booked into the Vista Detention Facility. Authorities said there were no reported injuries tied to either the robbery or the pursuit.
Suspects and charges
Officials identified the driver as 34-year-old Serafin Delgado. He faces charges that include felony evasion, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy. The passenger was identified as 22-year-old Isaac Sarmiento, who was booked on suspicion of armed robbery and conspiracy. Both men are expected to be arraigned on Thursday, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
What investigators say and next steps
Sheriff's officials are asking anyone with information or video related to the holdup or the chase to contact the San Marcos Sheriff's Station. Detectives are continuing to gather witness statements and review any available footage from the robbery and the subsequent pursuit. The two men remain in custody while prosecutors and the courts handle arraignment and any bail decisions.
