Suspect arrested in theft of classic Chevy; truck likely in Mexico

Grover Beach police say they have made an arrest in connection with a Dec. 29 theft of a cherry red 1957 Chevy pickup from a grocery store parking lot, but the truck itself is gone.

The vehicle was taken in broad daylight as its owner was shopping. Police had asked for the public’s help in locating it.

The department posted on its Facebook page Thursday that its plea for help attracted enough information to identify a suspect, but that they also received information that the truck was taken across the U.S.-Mexico border within 24 hours of the theft.

Local officers worked with the San Diego County Regional Auto Theft Task Force and found the suspect, a wanted parolee, who was arrested for unrelated charges and parole warrants Wednesday. The case has been submitted to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office for charges related to the auto theft.

Grover Beach police are not identifying the arrested person until formal charges are filed.

This story was originally published January 15, 2016 at 5:26 PM with the headline "Suspect arrested in theft of classic Chevy; truck likely in Mexico."