Car Theft Suspect Arrested After Chase

A 17-year-old suspected car thief remains in custody after leading Port Hueneme police--and the vehicle’s owner--on a chase that ended early Wednesday when he tried to escape on foot and was bitten by a police dog.

The male Oxnard resident was treated for minor bites to his right leg and stomach at Ventura County Medical Center before being released to Oxnard police, who locked him up in county Juvenile Hall on charges including grand theft auto, police said.

Two adults, also from Oxnard, were arrested in connection with the car theft, according to Oxnard Police Sgt. Lee Wilcox.

Juan Diaz, 18, was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting the suspect and was taken to Ventura County Jail while his passenger, an adult male whom police did not identify, was later released without being charged, Wilcox said.

The two were in a second vehicle allegedly trying to “run interference” by driving between the stolen vehicle and its owner, who was pursuing the thief in another car, he said.

Wilcox said the suspect allegedly stole the Chevrolet El Camino from the 600 block of Robert Street in Oxnard at about 12:47 a.m.

The owner, who witnessed the theft, jumped into another car he owns and drove after him, using his cellular phone to call police.

Port Hueneme officers Dale Harbin and Bob Miller were near the scene, spotted the El Camino and began pursuit, Port Hueneme Police Det. Sgt. Jerry Beck said.

During the five-mile chase, the suspect twice slammed on his brakes, causing the police car to rear-end the stolen vehicle, Beck said.

After the second time, in the area of Whitecap Street and Harbor Boulevard, the suspect abandoned the El Camino and ran away. But a Port Hueneme police dog caught up with the suspect, bit him and kept him subdued until Harbin and Miller arrived, Beck said.