Occurred Wednesday, August 15, 2012, 7:45am, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, 1208150061

A 31-year-old man was arrested when he was found in a vehicle stolen from a car lot on the 4300 block of South Staples Street Wednesday morning.

Corpus Christi police were called by the manager of a car dealership on the 4300 block of Staples Street Wednesday morning to report a blue 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 truck valued at $15,000 stolen from the lot. Corpus Christi Police Officers searched the area and found the truck at an apartment complex located at the 400 block of Eldon Drive.

Detectives from the Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force watched the truck until the truck was driven away. The Detectives requested Corpus Christi Police Patrol Officers to initiate a traffic stop on the truck. The truck travelled to South Padre Island Drive and then turned into the parking lot of a business at the 4500 block of South Padre Island Drive just as Police Patrol cars arrived to attempt to initiate the traffic stop.

The operator of the truck got onto a bicycle that was in the bed of the truck and attempted to flee from police on the bike. Corpus Christi Police captured 31-year-old George Ortiz (5/21/1981) and arrested him for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Evading Arrest.

Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force Detectives identified Ortiz as part of a group of individuals responsible for 5 stolen trucks from dealerships in Corpus Christi since the beginning of June 2012. The 5 trucks are all Dodge Ram pickups and are taken with the intent to disassemble the vehicles for parts, or be sold in Mexico. Detectives continue to investigate this case and more arrests may result. Detectives encourage anyone with additional information about these crimes to call Detectives with the Auto Theft Task Force at 886-2862. Anyone with any information should not assume police have the information, and provide the information without delay.

The Corpus Christi Police Auto Theft Task Force Detectives encourage the public to be aware of a few no-cost precautions to avoid vehicle theft. One tip is to take your keys. Half of all vehicles stolen in Texas (roughly 50,000 annually) are the result of keys left in the ignition.

A second tip is to lock the doors. Half of all stolen vehicles were left unlocked. Park in well-lit areas and don’t tempt thieves by leaving valuables in sight.

Report any vehicle theft to the police immediately if your vehicle has been stolen. Be ready to provide the vehicle year, make, model, color, Vehicle Identification Number, and the license plate number to increase your chances for recovery. For more information, call 1-800-CAR-Watch or visit www.txwatchyourcar.com.