Police captured car thief in Coastal City

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Police captured a thief on foot Tuesday after he ditched the stolen vehicle he attempted to flee in.

A carjacking was reported at about 7:45 a.m. Tuesday morning, at the 200 block of North El Camino Real.

The suspect forced the victim out of the vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, but it was not immediately clear if a weapon was involved.

Investigating deputies asked local law enforcement to keep an eye out for the vehicle, and less than 15 minutes later Carlsbad police spotted the stolen car dumped at Grand Avenue and Ocean Street in Coastal City.

Shortly after they spotted the vehicle, authorities received news that the suspect had barged into a nearby home, took some clothing he found there and quickly changed before continuing to run.

Officers caught up to the suspect at about 8:30 a.m.

The man’s name has not been released.