A 30-year-old man was arrested for auto theft and other charges early Friday morning after an officer checked on his suspicious appearance parked outside of a closed Starbucks store.

At 12:09 a.m., Ceres Police Officer Eric Souza was patrolling the parking lot of the Starbucks at 1427 Herndon Road which was closed at that time. Officer Souza saw a white Subaru Forester parked in front of the business and noticed it was occupied by Gage Stutler, 30, of Ceres who appeared to be ducking after spotting the patrol car. Officer Souza ran a records check on the vehicle and learned that it had been reported stolen.

A high-risk stop was conducted and Stutler was removed from the vehicle at gunpoint and arrested. Stutler, who was on probation, was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges of auto theft, possession of a stolen vehicle and violating the terms of his probation.