Driver Killed in Crash With Theft Suspects

A motorist was killed Wednesday when two purse-snatching suspects fleeing a San Diego police sedan drove their car through a red light and broad-sided the victim’s vehicle at a La Mesa intersection, police said.

The incident marks the second consecutive day in which an innocent motorist died after a law enforcement chase culminated in a crash.

On Tuesday evening, a 27-year-old Poway woman was killed when a California Highway Patrol car chasing a motorcyclist crashed into her car at a Kearny Mesa intersection.

The crash on Wednesday occurred at 3 p.m. and capped a seven-minute chase, said Lt. Connie Van Putten of the San Diego Police Department. The chase, she said, originated on Mission Gorge Road and Golfcrest Drive in San Diego and ended three miles away at Lake Murray Boulevard and Baltimore Drive in La Mesa.

At the time of the crash, police said, the victim’s vehicle was heading north on Lake Murray, making a left turn onto Baltimore. The suspects’ car and the pursuing police sedan were heading southbound on Lake Murray.

Suspects’ Car Stolen

The victim, Ronald Kent Stone, 29, of San Diego, was taken by Life Flight helicopter to Sharp Memorial Hospital. He was pronounced dead there at 3:56 p.m.

The two suspects--who police said were brothers--suffered minor injuries and were taken to Grossmont Hospital, authorities said. They were listed in good condition and were expected to be transferred to the County Jail downtown, where they were to be booked on robbery charges, police said.

In custody were Trenton Capella, 22, of San Diego, and Rodney Capella, 25, whose address was not immediately known.

The two are suspects in two purse-snatchings that took place in San Diego Wednesday afternoon. Property from the robberies was found in the suspects’ vehicle, which itself was listed as stolen in Los Angeles, police said.

Van Putten could not say if vehicular homicide or manslaughter charges would be brought as a result of the crash. Police could also not say what speeds were reached during the chase. A coroner’s report stated that the suspects’ car was traveling at an “excessive” speed.

At the wheel of the police vehicle was Officer Edward Rosenbloom, who police said spotted the suspects’ vehicle shortly before 3 p.m. after a partial description was broadcast on police radio.

As the officer pursued the suspects, police said, his red-and-blue roof lights were flashing and his siren was operating. Rosenbloom had a police dog with him in the car, police said.

Motorcyclist Sought

Meanwhile, the CHP and traffic division of the San Diego Police Department are looking for the driver of the motorcycle that CHP Officer Robert Cobb was chasing Tuesday night when he ran a red light and crashed into the car of Donna Lovett, 23, of Poway.

Officer Lloyd Needham said the CHP’s pursuit policy leaves decisions about car chases to an officer’s discretion, and that he didn’t know if Cobb would be reprimanded for running a red light.

“We’re not going to second guess him until we get all the facts in,” Needham said.

Cobb came out of the crash without any serious injuries but Needham said he was distraught over the incident.

“Physically, he’s not too bad but emotionally he’s having a problem with it, a big problem,” Needham said.