East County

A couple being pursued by sheriff’s deputies through Lemon Grove and Spring Valley Wednesday tossed 30 to 50 plastic bags of marijuana at the squad car before their car blew a tire and they were apprehended, Deputy Dave Stafford said.

James Collins, 32, and Angela Gonsalvez, 24, were arrested after the four-minute high-speed chase in which they also threw a loaded shotgun out the car window. It discharged when it hit the ground, Stafford said, but no injuries were reported.

Agents of the area-wide Narcotics Task Force had been observing Collins at his home on Paradise Road. Collins was on parole for robbery and was suspected of a parole violation. At 5:05 p.m., Detective Charlie Gouge saw him carry a 12-gauge shotgun with a pistol grip out to his car. Collins and Gonsalvez got into the car and drove toward Lemon Grove, while Gouge called sheriff’s deputies, Stafford said.

Deputy Randy Dibbs tried to stop the car, but Collins balked and the chase began. Dibbs saw the gun thrown from the window, then little bags of marijuana thrown from the car began to hit his windshield, according to Stafford. Dibbs counted 30 to 50 plastic bags valued at $10 to $15 each, Stafford said.

The car came to a stop on Jamacha Road in Spring Valley after it was slowed by a flat tire. Collins and Gonsalvez were arrested on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale and having a loaded firearm in a vehicle. Collins also was arrested for possessing a firearm while on parole.