OAKLAND — A city of Oakland parking enforcement vehicle was stolen in Chinatown on Thursday morning and driven more than 40 miles to Mountain View, where the suspected thief was arrested and the car recovered, authorities said.
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The theft was reported about 10:15 a.m. in the area of Ninth and Webster streets, authorities said.
Authorities said the traffic enforcement officer had parked the vehicle, a Toyota Prius, and left it to write tickets.
But the officer left the keys in the ignition, authorities said.
About 15 minutes later, a 35-year-old man walked up to the car, saw the keys in the ignition, got in and drove off, authorities said.
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The vehicle was spotted in East Oakland before getting on Interstate 880.
With California Highway Patrol officers in pursuit, the car drove across the San Mateo Bridge and traveled other various roadways before coming to a stop at Grant Road and El Camino Real in Mountain View, authorities said. The suspect was then arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle and vandalism.
Personal items belonging to the officer were recovered in the vehicle, authorities said.
The suspect and vehicle were brought back to Oakland. He was booked at Santa Rita Jail and is being held on $55,000 bail.
It was the second theft of a city vehicle in three months.
In February, a Ford Expedition used by Mayor Barbara Lee was stolen from a City Hall garage. Officers later found the SUV in Vallejo and arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with the theft.
Staff writer Jason Green contributed to this report.
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