A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of using a sledgehammer to break into at least three businesses in 4S Ranch and University City on Thursday, San Diego police said.
The first two incidents were reported when officers responded to two burglaries on Paseo Del Sur near Camino Del Sur around 3:30 a.m., Capt. Richard Aguilar said.
About an hour later, another business was burglarized on Governor Drive near Genesee Avenue, investigators said. The suspect was seen on camera using a sledgehammer to break out the glass door of the business to enter, according to Aguilar.
In all three break-ins the burglar fled before officers arrived at the scene, but the department’s automated license plate recognition system in the area got hits on the same vehicle, police said.
Investigators said the vehicle was then spotted by officers traveling east on state Route 56 from Interstate 5 around 5 a.m. Officers were not pursuing the vehicle, but the car crashed into an ice plant near the Camino Del Sur off-ramp.
The suspect was taken into custody without incident, Aguilar said. A sledgehammer along with other evidence was found inside the vehicle, police said.
Investigators asked anyone with information about the break-ins to call the Northern Division police station at 619-552-1700 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
