A Tustin vehicle theft suspect was arrested with help from a K9 and the O.C. Sheriff’s helicopter

In the afternoon of 01/02/24, a stolen vehicle was located by a patrol officer, according to the Tustin Police Department.

The vehicle immediately pulled into a neighborhood and stopped. The driver exited the vehicle and refused to listen to the officer as he fled on foot.

Dozens of police officers and the OC Sheriff’s helicopter responded to the area. With the help of the helicopter, a heat signature was observed in the shed of an unsuspecting resident’s backyard near where the suspect was last seen running.

The Garden Grove Polcie Department’s K9 unit responded to a request for assistance. Utilizing a search team and the K9 officer, the suspect was located hiding beneath dozens of items in the shed and surrendered.

The suspect, who has a lengthy criminal record including previous convictions for firearms violations, was booked at Orange County Jail.

The Tustin Police Department is grateful to our partnering agencies who responded to our call for help and assisted in ensuring the safety of the neighborhood. We are also grateful to the community who called to report suspicious activity and cooperated with our lengthy search.