San Diego Criminal Attorneys Blog

Eric Anthony Pomatto, the man who lead police officers on a lengthy and reckless pursuit after evading police on Friday March, 19th, was arrested and charged with 27 serious felonies including felony evading and 11 counts of attempted of murder.

Mr. Pomatto's car was first observed outside his ex-girlfriends father's house and was reported to the police as a suspicious vehicle because the vehicle had been there for more than five hours. As officers approached Mr. Pornatto in the vehicle he drove off and lead them on a long and reckless pursuit accumulating in the multitude of felony charges.

Mr. Pomatto plead not guilty alongside his deputy public defender during a brief arraignment appearance at the Vista Courthouse. He faces up to 158 years and four months in prison if convicted of every charge. These charges range from attempted murder, which Deputy District Attorney Patrick Espinoza stated that, "Pomatto had an intent to kill officers". Also including felony evading, shooting from a car at walking bystanders, shooting at an occupied vehicle, being a felon in possession of deadly firearms as well as assault on a peace officer. Mr. Pomatto is being held in custody without bail pending the trial court proceedings.

ESCONDIDO: Suspected shooter charged with 27 felonies, north County Times March 24, 2010

In Escondido, North County San Diego, around 6p.m. Friday, police officers pursued a vehicle in a long and violent car chase. Initially, the officer observed the car driving suspiciously so he ran the license plate number and found the vehicle was reported stolen Honda Accord out of Chula Vista. The driver then sped off in the car and the chase ensued. Shortly after the pursuit started, the driver of the stolen vehicle fired several rounds through the sunroof of the car at a police helicopter that was providing aerial support to the to police units on the ground. The driver of the stolen Honda Accord also fired several shots at police units. The driver while evading arrest used a variety of weapons including a handgun and shotgun to fire at pursing officers.

In addition, the driver fired several rounds at the police K9 unit. One shot pierced the windshield passing just over the officers right shoulder and going through the seat almost hitting his dog partner in the back. Lucky neither the officer nor his partner were injured in the firing however other rounds fired disabled the vehicle, blowing out the front two tires. The pursuit continued at speeds ranging from 5 to 130 miles per hour.

At one time during the chase, an officer on foot unsuccessfully tried to deploy a spike strip but was fired at several times. The officer was not hit but the bullets hit other vehicles. Once again no one was injured by the reckless and dangerous firing done by the driver of the stolen vehicle. As the driver approached Westfield's North County Mall parking lot, he exited the vehicle and laid down on the ground before officers had the opportunity to approach him. Lt. Craig Carter, said "I don't know why he stopped, he obviously knew we were there." The pursuit stopped here as the man was taken into custody.

The driver of the vehicle's name is being withheld until further notice and is facing a variety of charges, including felony evading and suspicion of 11counts of attempted murder, and firing at an aircraft.

Police Investigate man who fired rounds on chase, March 21, 2010

As you know from the previous blog, San Diego County Police Departments had been scheduling Police Checkpoints to keep a watchful eye for drunk drivers this St. Patrick's Day. Three people were arrested at the Poway checkpoint and taken to jail, two with suspicion of drinking while under the influence of alcohol and the other was arrested due to warrants. About 600 vehicles were checked at the Poway checkpoint, in the 13300 block of Twin Peaks Road, during the checkpoint hours, which consisted of Wednesday 7:00pm to Thursday 3:30am.

Not only were three people arrested, but also several people cited for various crimes. A total of eight people were cited for driving with a suspended license, or without a valid drivers license. Out of the eight people, a total of six cars are to be impounded, resulting in at least a 1,500 dollar output by the cited driver. Another person was cited for driving with an open bottle of alcohol in the car. Make sure you toss out that extra alcohol, even if it isn't yours as the driver and belongs to your friend in the passenger seat, no open alcohol bottles should be in a car.

The checkpoint received its operating costs from a grant issued by the state Office of Traffic Safety. As a future note to drivers out there, the city plans to have at least three more checkpoint in the next coming months, so take the extra precaution and get a designated driver.

Three arrested at checkpoint, North County Times Friday March 19, 2010

This St.Patrick's Day North County police officers are going to be on heightened alert looking out for drunk drivers in Encinitas, Solana Beach and Del Mar. The time of alertness will between 7:00pm Wednesday through 3:30am Thursdays, Saint Patrick's Day itself and the following morning. Officers will be confiscating any unregistered or unlicensed vehicles they pull over for at least 30 days. Not to mention this will all be at the drivers expense; at a price of at least 1,500 dollars. San Diego Police department is asking anyone to call 911 so they may report drunk drivers providing the cars model, license plate number and the location of the vehicle.

Time to designate a driver, cause its not worth the trouble this St. Patrick's Day of getting pulled over, and losing your car for possibly 30 days.

DUI enforcement Scheduled, North County Times, March 17, 2010