A Clairemont man stole an Army tank and took it on a bizarre and destructive rampage through the streets of San Diego yesterday evening before it crashed to a stop over a freeway divider, where he was fatally shot by police.
Police identified the man as Shawn Nelson, a plumber in his mid-30s; neighbors said he had been acting strangely in recent months.
The tank he stole from the National Guard Armory sped through the streets of Kearny Mesa, leaving a wake of toppled telephone poles, geysers spewing from battered fire hydrants and scores of crushed vehicles.
At least 5,100 San Diego Gas & Electric Co. customers were left without power in Linda Vista. Thousands of motorists were stuck on state Route 163, which was closed in both directions as police hauled the mortally wounded Nelson out of the tank and began sorting out the destruction he caused. No other injuries were reported.
"I saw it come out of the armory," said Bobby Tarantino, "but it didn't seem unusual until he started aiming at telephone poles and cars."
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