Traffic Pursuit in Fallbrook 

April 15, 2025 – San Diego County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at approximately 10:14 a.m., deputies from the Fallbrook Sheriff's Substation responded to a report of a suspicious individual in the 600 block of South Stage Coach Lane, within the community of Fallbrook. The reporting party indicated that a subject was behaving suspiciously and possibly had a rifle in their vehicle.

Deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle; however, the driver, later identified as Matthew Alms (43), failed to yield, prompting a pursuit. The pursuit was discontinued after several miles in the city of Vista in the interest of public safety. A Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter located the vehicle and began tracking it while ground units followed. Alms drove through Carlsbad, Vista, and Oceanside before returning to Fallbrook, where tire deflation devices were deployed. The vehicle became disabled in the 5400 block of Rainbow Heights Road, Fallbrook.

Alms refused to exit the vehicle, and after several minutes, deputies deployed less lethal munitions. He subsequently exited the vehicle and was taken into custody. Alms was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries. He was booked into the Vista Detention Facility on charges of felony evading, possession of narcotics and paraphernalia, as well as an outstanding felony warrant.

Source: San Diego County Sheriff’s Office