Deputy arrested on suspicion of drunk driving at the gate of the Coronado naval base

A San Diego County sheriff’s deputy was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence outside the gate of Naval Air Station North Island, authorities said Saturday.

At around 10:30 p.m. Friday, the Coronado Police Department informed the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department of the arrest of an officer who attempted to enter the base’s main gate without permission, leading guards to soldiers to shoot at the car.

No one was injured, authorities said.

Sgt. Michael Cruz was off duty at the time and booked into the San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, authorities said. He was released on parole pending future court dates.

Cruz is on a paid administrative assignment while the Sheriff’s Internal Affairs investigation continues. He was hired in 2006 and assigned to the Sheriff’s Department of Emergency Planning, according to the department.

The Coronado Police Department and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service were investigating the arrest, with the cooperation of the sheriff’s department.

“The Sheriff’s Department will not tolerate criminal conduct within its ranks and will hold employees accountable for their actions,” a sheriff’s news release said.

The base was temporarily closed, and several doors were locked while security personnel searched the rest of the base.