San Marcos, California – Two men suspected in an armed robbery in San Marcos were taken into custody early Sunday morning after leading law enforcement officers on a nearly hour-long high-speed pursuit across multiple parts of San Diego County, according to authorities.
The incident began late Saturday night when deputies responded to a report of an armed robbery at a popular roadside food stand. Investigators say the suspects fled the scene before deputies arrived, triggering a coordinated countywide search that eventually ended with a high-risk arrest.
Incident Overview
The robbery occurred at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Saturday night at the Quesadilla Taco Stand located near South Santa Fe Avenue and Smilax Road in San Marcos. According to investigators, at least two suspects were involved, and a weapon was reportedly used during the commission of the crime.
Deputies with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched following a 911 call reporting the incident. Upon arrival in the area, deputies determined that the suspects had already fled in a vehicle.
No injuries were reported at the scene, and there were no immediate reports of shots fired.
Timeline of Events
While canvassing the area and speaking with witnesses, deputies were able to gather critical information that would later prove instrumental in the arrests.
According to Sheriff’s Sgt. Aaron Ritt, deputies obtained license plate information connected to the suspect vehicle shortly after the robbery occurred. That information was immediately shared with other law enforcement agencies throughout the county.
At approximately 11:35 p.m., officers from the Chula Vista Police Department spotted the suspect vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
“While investigating the crime, deputies were able to obtain license plate information for the suspect vehicle. This information was broadcast to other law enforcement agencies throughout the county,” Ritt said.
Instead of pulling over, the driver allegedly refused to yield, leading officers on a prolonged pursuit.
High-Speed Pursuit Details
The pursuit stretched across large portions of San Diego County and lasted for approximately 47 minutes, according to authorities. Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved as the vehicle traveled through different jurisdictions.
Police utilized standard pursuit protocols, including maintaining communication between agencies and assessing public safety risks as the chase continued late into the night.
The pursuit ultimately came to an end in the 300 block of Richmar Avenue in San Marcos, where officers conducted a high-risk vehicle stop. Both occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody without incident.
Arrests and Charges
Two male suspects were arrested following the stop:
- Serafin Delgado, 34, identified as the driver, was arrested on suspicion of felony evasion, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, and conspiracy.
- Isaac Sarmiento, 22, identified as the passenger, was arrested on suspicion of armed robbery and conspiracy.
Both suspects were transported and booked into the Vista Detention Facility early Sunday morning.
Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported to officers, suspects, or members of the public during the pursuit or arrest.
Court Proceedings
According to jail records, both men are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Vista Superior Court, where formal charges will be presented. Bail information and further court dates are expected to be determined during that hearing.
The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are reviewing evidence related to the robbery itself, including witness statements and any surveillance footage from the area.
Public Safety and Awareness
Law enforcement officials emphasize that while pursuits are sometimes necessary, public safety remains the top priority. Drivers are urged to remain alert if they encounter an active police chase and to avoid interfering or attempting to follow pursuit vehicles.
Residents are also encouraged to report suspicious activity promptly, as timely information from the public played a key role in identifying and locating the suspect vehicle in this case.
Conclusion
The arrests bring a swift conclusion to a dangerous chain of events that began with an armed robbery and escalated into a lengthy high-speed pursuit. Authorities credit coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies for the successful and injury-free outcome.
Anyone with additional information related to the incident is encouraged to contact local law enforcement. Share your experiences in the comments below.
