San Diego

An armed robber led law enforcement officials on a 30-mile, high-speed chase through San Diego and into National City on Thursday before surrendering to authorities, police said.

San Diego police said that Gary Scott Martin, 24, was arrested and booked into San Diego County Jail on suspicion of armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.

Police spokesman Bill Robinson said a man wearing a stocking mask entered a Denny’s restaurant about 11 a.m. in northern San Diego, near Del Mar, and produced what appeared to be a gun.

The man then took a purse containing $1,900 and a gun, Robinson said. He could not say whether the purse belonged to an employee or a patron, or why the purse contained such a large amount of money and a weapon.

After the robbery, the thief fled in a car and headed south on Interstate 5. Law enforcement units from the San Diego police and California Highway Patrol and a sheriff’s helicopter joined in the pursuit. Witnesses said the chase involved at least 10 patrol cars.

While being chased, the driver yelled at officers that he would “not be taken alive” and threatened pursuing vehicles with his car, Robinson said.

Police said the man then drove to Interstate 805 and continued south into National City, where police finally forced the suspect to the median side of the road on Plaza Boulevard and arrested him. Robinson said no shots were fired and no injuries were reported during the holdup and chase.