Chase Ends With Arrest of Driver

After a short police pursuit, a Ventura man was arrested early Friday morning on suspicion of stealing a car.

Officers noticed Joseph Porras driving a car that had been reported stolen, near Garden Street and Harbor Boulevard, police said. Porras tried to flee in the vehicle, sparking a brief pursuit, authorities said.

Police said Porras abandoned the car at Surfers Point and ran to the beach. Officers arriving at the scene caught up to Porras and arrested him. A passenger in the car fled the scene and is still at large, police said.

Porras, 20, was booked into Ventura County Jail on suspicion of evading arrest and vehicle theft, police said.