Man arrested, accused of plowing car into crowds

CARLSBAD

A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of plowing a car into several pedestrians after an altercation in the parking lot of a Carlsbad strip mall earlier this week, police said Thursday.

The suspect, who police identified as a Spokane, Wash., resident, was booked into Vista jail on suspicion of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

At least four pedestrians — two 21year-old men, a 40-year-old man and a 42-year-old man — were struck and injured during the incident. They were treated at hospitals and were expected to recover, police said.

The incident unfolded around 2:10 a.m. Sunday at the Village Faire Shopping Center on Carlsbad Village Drive. Police said a man had gotten into a fight with others in the parking lot.

He then got in his vehicle and drove into a group of pedestrians, striking several of them. The driver then reversed and struck other pedestrians before driving away.

Police declined to say what kind of vehicle was involved.

Police identified the suspect with the help of witnesses and victims, Sgt. James Willis said, adding that investigators obtained video recorded by witnesses and surveillance-camera footage from the strip mall.

On Tuesday, after police obtained an arrest warrant, they arrested the suspect at a motel in Escondido.

He remained in jail without bail Thursday.

It was unclear how police tracked down the suspect. Willis said only that investigators released a bulletin about the suspect to other law enforcement agencies.

Police said investigators were still trying to determine how many pedestrians were struck and what prompted the altercation. Police encouraged witnesses and anyone with information to contact Willis at (442) 339-5679 or james.willis@carlsbadca.gov.