Thief Arrested After Police Chase: SLPD

SAN LEANDRO, CA — One person was arrested Friday in connection to several wheel thefts in San Leandro over the past few months, police reported.

Police responded to the 2100 block of Benedict Drive at 5:30 a.m. to reports of a suspect stealing wheels from a car.

Officers arrived and tried to detain the suspect, but they got into an awaiting car and fled off. The vehicle hit a parked car and an officer had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit, police said.

Police began chasing the car and followed the suspect south on Benedict Drive until the driver crashed into a hillside near Kindred Hospital in the 2800 block of Benedict Drive.

Police immediately arrested one suspect, but another suspect allegedly fled into the hills.

The California Highway Patrol, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office and police set up a perimeter around the area. Three drones from the sheriff's office surveilled the area, and a police canine eventually tracked
down the suspect's footprints.

Police believe the suspect left the police perimeter area and made it to the freeway.

The suspect's vehicle was a black Mercedes SUV with paper dealer plates that was reported stolen in October, according to police.

The SUV had also been spotted at two other wheel thefts in the city, police said. Police found eight tires and wheels inside the car and they believe two other people were victims of thefts.

Police Lt. Ron Clark said the suspect nearly driving into a police officer showed a "wanton disregard for public safety."

Anyone who had their tires or rims stolen on Thursday is asked to contact police Detective Vincent at jvincent@sanleandro.org or (510) 577-3234.

— Bay City News; Image by Renee Schiavone, Patch