ESCONDIDO -- A driver believed to be high on methamphetamine led officers on a high-speed chase in Escondido, then terrorized two teens, police said Tuesday.

Sgt. John Russo said officers captured suspect Javier Leon Nieves, 26, of Escondido during the Monday incident. His bail was set at $77,500 at the Vista jail.

Nieves drove off during a traffic stop just after 3 p.m. at Ash Street and Valley Parkway, Russo said. He said the pursuit shot down Ash at more than 80 mph.

"Kids were on the streets," Russo said. "He swerved into oncoming traffic, so officers (ended) the pursuit and backed off."

The sergeant said Nieves quickly abandoned the car in a Wilson Avenue driveway and ran into a stranger's backyard. He told a teen-age brother and sister there that the police were after him, Russo said.

"He demanded the boy's jacket so he could change his appearance," he said. "He hid in their house, telling them 'Just be quiet.' "

Officers checking on the abandoned car heard the commotion in the home.

Russo said they arrested Nieves on suspicion of felony evading arrest, robbery, driving under the influence of drugs and with a suspended license, as well as a warrant for an earlier charge of being under the influence of meth.