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By Miriam Raftery
July 20, 2017 (La Mesa)—A high-speed pursuit from Santee to La Mesa ended early this morning in the laundry room of a La Mesa apartment complex, where SWAT teams from La Mesa and San Diego police departments helped capture the suspect, Randy Hanks, 37.
The incident began at 11:30 p.m. when Hanks fled in a stolen Ford Fusion vehicle following a traffic stop. He was wanted on a felony warrant, according to Sgt. Mike McNeill with the Sheriff’s department. A sword was later found in the vehicle.
Due to Hanks’ reckless driving, the ground pursuit was halted. A Sheriff’s helicopter followed Hanks, who ran red lights and drove on the wrong side of the road in an effort to evade authorities.
He drove into a parking garage beneath a Community Care Center on La Mesa Blvd., then exited, parked and walked into a laundry room at Lemon Gardens Apartments on Lemon Avenue in La Mesa. Residents reported seeing him carry what appeared to be a rifle and sheltered in place during the ensuing SWAT standoff.
After repeated commands to put down the rifle, he reportedly shouted “Can I have a cigarette?”
Officers said yes, provided he would come outside, where he was taken into custody. The rifle turned out to be a BB gun.
Hanks is charged with autho theft, evading police, burglary and illegal weapon possession.
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