ESCONDIDO : DEA Agents Arrest Suspect After Chase

A Vista man who allegedly led drug agents on a 30-minute chase at speeds up to 120 m.p.h. Monday was taken into custody after he blew a tire near Felicita County Park in Escondido, authorities said.

About eight state and federal drug agents followed the suspect, identified as Jason Janis, from a Vista home where he is believed to have picked up chemicals to make methamphetamines, DEA spokesman Jack Hook said.

Janis spotted the drug agents and led them on a chase through Vista and Escondido until his tire blew, and he then tried to escape on foot, Hook said.

Drug agents were joined by a police helicopter and officers from the Escondido and San Diego police departments who swept the area in search of Janis, Hook said. A police dog finally tracked down the suspect, who is described as being in his mid-20s.

Authorities discovered 10 pounds of ephredine, the main chemical needed to manufacture methamphetamines, in the trunk of Janis’ car, Hook said.

Janis will be charged in federal court with possession of a chemical to manufacture drugs, Hook said. Last year the DEA closed down 51 methamphetamine laboratories in San Diego County and 327 similar laboratories nationwide.