Sheriff's Deputies Capture Auto Theft Suspect Hiding Along San Gabriel River

A stolen vehicle suspect evaded capture for nearly two hours on Wednesday until sheriff's deputies found him hiding behind some overgrown grass along the San Gabriel River near the Bellflower and Cerritos border.

The incident began about 5:45 p.m. on Dec. 15 when the suspect fled from sheriff's deputies near Palos Verde Avenue in the city of Bellflower, which is serviced by the Lakewood Sheriff's Station, said Lt. Richard Harpham of the . 

Attempting to flee, the man ran into a residential area, jumped a backyard fence and ran along the wash bordering the city of Cerritos, said sheriff's Sgt. Steven Paul of the Lakewood Station. 

Sheriff's deputies from Lakewood and Cerritos immediately set up a large containment spanning from Artesia Boulevard, 183rd Street, Palos Verde Avenue and the San Gabriel River, said Harpham. 

With assistance from an air unit, deputies located the suspect about 7:30 p.m. "hiding behind overgrown grass" along the riverbed, Paul said. 

The man's name and age along with details of the vehicle that he allegedly stole were not immediately released.