HERCULES (KRON) — A 25-year-old man on felony probation was arrested at a gas station in Hercules on Monday, after investigators discovered he was driving a stolen vehicle, police said.
It happened at about 5:15 a.m. at the Shell gas station, at 3900 San Pablo Ave.
Police say an officer noticed the man and ran a license plate check, which revealed that he was driving a Lexus RX 330 that was reported stolen to the California Highway Patrol on June 4.
In an attempt to keep the suspect from driving away, the officer moved his patrol vehicle to block the Lexus and activated his overhead lights. That’s when the suspect exited the vehicle and attempted to run away from the officer, police said.
When the officer ordered the man to stop, the suspect complied.
Inside the Lexus, police say they found a woman’s purse belonging to a Hercules resident. Investigators say the owner of the purse was contacted by police. She told investigators that her and her husband’s car were unlocked and had been ransacked.
In addition to the stolen property, officers also found a substance inside the car, believed to be a narcotic, police said.
Officers arrested 25-year-old Justin Kent on charges of possessing stolen property, auto burglary, and possessing a controlled substance, police said.
Records show that Kent had four felony warrants out of Napa County and is currently on felony probation, according to police.