Chase Ends in Laguna Hills

A man suspected of robbing a bank in San Diego was arrested in Laguna Hills after a two-hour, three-county pursuit Monday afternoon, authorities said.

Michael Groves, 48, of San Diego walked into the Peninsula Bank of San Diego about 10:15 a.m., displayed a gun and demanded money, said Bill Robinson, spokesman for the San Diego Police Department.

The teller handed Groves about $700, which he put in his briefcase before running out of the bank, authorities said. However, the bills were wrapped around a red dye pack that exploded as Groves fled, Robinson said.

“There were some witnesses at a fast-food restaurant who said they saw him running with red smoke coming from his briefcase,” Robinson said.

Groves drove his red Chevy pickup northbound on Interstate 5, followed by several police cars and helicopters. When he reached Los Angeles County, Groves turned around in Santa Fe Springs and headed southbound on the same freeway, police said.

A tire on Groves’ truck blew out, but he continued driving, causing it to gradually disintegrate. Eventually Groves got off the freeway at El Toro Road in Laguna Hills. From there he took side streets before entering the parking lot of the Laguna Hills Mall, where FBI agents pulled their vehicle in front of his truck, authorities said.

Groves is being held at the San Diego Jail without bail.