Repeat Car Theft Suspect Nabbed In Stolen Car After Short Pursuit

OXNARD (CBSLA.com) — Police in Oxnard said a stolen car suspect led them on a brief chase early Saturday before crashing the vehicle.

Officer Steve Eckman was driving westbound on Channel Islands Blvd. at Raiders Way about 4 a.m. when he spotted a stolen vehicle turning eastbound.

The car had been reported stolen about three hours earlier from the 600 block of South Oxnard Boulevard.

After seeing the police vehicle, the suspect reportedly fled at a high rate of speed on Channel Island Boulevard.

The suspect, later identified as Andy Franco, led authorities on a brief two minute pursuit into the Lemonwood Neighborhood of Oxnard.

The pursuit came to an end on Beaufort Drive north of Ives Avenue when the suspect stopped short. A slow speed collision occurred between Eckman's police unit and the suspect vehicle.

Franco was taken into custody without further incident after the collision. Neither Eckman or Franco were injured. Damage to both vehicles was minor.

The suspect is described by police as "a repeat auto theft offender ... both the driver and passenger in prior stolen vehicle investigations."

Franco was booked into the Ventura County Jail for auto theft and felony evading.