A 26-year-old Ceres man was arrested Sunday afternoon for auto theft after he tried to lose police cruisers chasing him.

Ronaldo Del Solorio was charged with felony auto theft, possession of stolen property, evading, and probation violation.

Police were dispatched at 4:10 p.m. for the theft of a car in front of the Dollar General at 2531 E. Whitmore Avenue. The victim had left his keys inside his 2018 Dodge Journey and witnesses observed saw Del Solorio get into it and speed off. An officer took a report and began checking the area for it.

At 5:36 p.m., officers were dispatched to a call of a suspicious person and vehicle on Valera Drive that determined it was the stolen Dodge. As officers arrived, a bare-chested man got into the driver’s seat and drove off.  Officers followed and tried to stop the car but the suspect led them on a chase. Sgt. Vince Hooper made the decision to utilize a pursuit intervention technique (PIT) in the area of Skenna and Bigaroon to end the chase.

Del Solorio exited the car and became confrontational with officers.  He was quickly arrested. The stolen car was recovered and returned to its owner.