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Suspect in Shooting of Deputy Seized After Freeway Chase, Second Gun Fight

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From a Times Staff Writer

Mark Raymond Phelps, wanted by police in the shooting of a San Diego County deputy sheriff, was cornered and arrested Sunday afternoon in San Marcos after another flurry of gunfire at a deputy who chased him along two freeways.

Phelps ran into a crowded furniture store, sending confused employees and customers scampering out emergency exits, before giving up without a further fight as deputies swarmed to the scene.

His arrest followed a harrowing chase north on Interstate 15 and then west on California 78. The pursuit began when Sheriff’s Deputy Alfred Mackrille by chance spotted a car and identified the driver, Phelps, 28, as the alleged gunman in the Friday night shooting of Deputy James Bennetts in Vista, sheriff’s spokesman Stephanie Simpson said.

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Bennetts, 27, was wounded in the shoulder after a brief chase through a rural Vista neighborhood.

Mackrille gave chase with lights and siren.

Phelps abruptly turned into a Levitz furniture store parking lot in San Marcos, got out of his car and began shooting at Mackrille, who brought his car to a stop.

Mackrille was believed to have returned gunfire, Simpson said, but his shots missed Phelps, who ran inside the store.

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After backup help arrived, Phelps surrendered and was taken to the County Jail in Vista for questioning and booking on charges of attempted murder of a peace officer, Simpson said.

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