Car thief suspect arrested after high-speed chase in South County

A Santa Margarita man was arrested Friday morning after being accused of stealing a car and leading sheriff’s deputies on a car chase that reached speeds of up to 95 mph.

Dalton Lee Cross, 25, was arrested on suspicion of felony auto theft and attempting to evade a peace officer in a reckless manner.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, deputies spotted a Volvo SUV driven by Cross that had been reported stolen Thursday in Arroyo Grande. When deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Cross allegedly sped away.

The pursuit on Willow Road lasted about 30 seconds and ended when Cross’ vehicle went off the road and into a field at the intersection of Guadalupe Road.

Cross then fled on foot across the field before deputies were able to arrest him, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release.

As of Friday afternoon, Cross remained in custody at the San Luis Obispo County Jail in lieu of $45,000 bail.

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 4:53 PM with the headline "Car thief suspect arrested after high-speed chase in South County."