Alleged car thief arrested after pursuit

An alleged car thief was arrested early Monday morning after he led authorities on a pursuit in Castro Valley in a stolen car, hid behind a shed and got bit by a police dog, according to a sheriff’s sergeant.

Victor Alvarez, a 40-year-old Oakland resident, was arrested on suspicion of grand theft auto, felony evading a police officer and an outstanding warrant, sheriff’s officials said.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly said Alvarez has a history of stealing cars.

Around 12:30 a.m. Monday, Alvarez was allegedly spotted in a stolen 1992 Acura Vigor in the vicinity of Mission Boulevard and East Lewelling Boulevard in Castro Valley, Kelly said.

Alvarez allegedly fled and deputies followed him for about 5 miles.

Eventually he jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the backyard of a home in the 16100 block of Berkshire Drive, according to Kelly.

When the stolen vehicle was abandoned, it kept rolling and slowly hit a power pole, but that did not result in any significant damage, according to Kelly.

Sheriff’s deputies set up a perimeter and began conducting a yard-to-yard search with the assistance of a K-9 unit from the San Leandro Police Department.

Authorities located the suspect behind a shed on Windsor Drive and he was bitten by the dog, Kelly said.

Alvarez was taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries related to the dog bite and was set to be booked into county jail after being released from the hospital, according to Kelly.