Trailer-theft suspect leads police on wild freeway chase

A 34-year-old woman was arrested after allegedly stealing a trailer and leading police on a dangerous pursuit across San Diego freeways.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A 34-year-old woman, identified as Xirogiannis Panayiota, was arrested on suspicion of stealing a trailer in Kearny Mesa and leading police on a wild freeway chase that involved a standoff, a wrong-way pursuit, and multiple attempts to carjack other vehicles before she was finally apprehended.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the risks and challenges faced by law enforcement when pursuing suspects who are willing to engage in dangerous driving behaviors, putting both officers and the public at risk. It also raises questions about mental health and the need for better intervention strategies to prevent such incidents.

The details

According to police, the chase began when officers responded to a report of a vehicle theft in the 7500 block of Balboa Avenue. They spotted Panayiota driving a Toyota 4Runner towing a stolen trailer and attempted to pull her over, but she fled, leading to a pursuit that involved a standoff on the freeway, a wrong-way chase, and multiple attempts to carjack other vehicles before she was finally arrested.

  • The incident began around 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.
  • The freeway standoff lasted for approximately 60 minutes.
  • Panayiota then drove the wrong way on the freeway before the vehicle stalled and she was arrested.

The players

Xirogiannis Panayiota

A 34-year-old San Diego resident who was arrested on suspicion of stealing a trailer and leading police on a dangerous freeway chase.

San Diego Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the initial vehicle theft report and pursued Panayiota during the chase.

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What they’re saying

“Patrol vehicles were placed in front of and behind the vehicle as an added precaution. Officers attempted to negotiate with the driver to de-escalate. However, she would not engage in conversation.”

— Lt. Cesar Jimenez, Public Affairs Lieutenant, San Diego Police Department (nbcsandiego.com)

What’s next

Panayiota is expected to face a range of charges, including assault with a deadly weapon, carjacking, felony evading, reckless driving, multiple counts of hit and run, driving the wrong way on a highway, and vandalism. The case will now proceed through the criminal justice system.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the dangers and challenges faced by law enforcement when pursuing suspects who are willing to engage in extremely reckless and dangerous driving behaviors, putting both officers and the public at risk. It also raises questions about the need for better mental health intervention strategies to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.