Cops Catch Teen Car Thief
PASO ROBLES – A teen car thief is in custody after Paso Robles Police officers caught him after a brief foot chase on Sunday.
700 Creston Road
According to PRPD, a citizen reported around 12:50 p.m. their vehicle had just been stolen while they were inside a business in the 700 block of Creston Road.
The victim told investigating officers he left the vehicle unlocked with the engine running so he could run a quick errand.
Police say witnesses a short time later told the victim a male suspect had taken his car and fled the area.
Police say responding officers were unable to locate the stolen vehicle during an extensive area check.
Investigators say at approximately 2:05 p.m. another PRPD officer observed the vehicle being driven in the 2800 block of Riverside Avenue.
The officer said he followed the vehicle waiting for other officers to arrive, but the suspect abandoned the vehicle in the parking lot of the Motel 6, located at 1134 Black Oak Drive.
The suspect fled on foot before other officers had arrived.
The officer gave chase on foot and saw the suspect throw a handgun away before he was detained without further incident.
Police say the item discarded by the suspect was determined to be a replica firearm.
The suspect was positively identified as the person who stole the victim’s vehicle and identified as a 17-year-old Paso Robles resident.
He was arrested, charged with one count of felony auto theft and subsequntly booked into the San Luis County Juvenile Services Center.
He is not being identified due to his age.
Read More:
KSBY: Paso Robles Teen Charged with Car Theft
San Luis Obispo Tribune: Paso Robles Teenager Arrested After Allegedly Stealing Car
