Police received a call from the victim of a car theft who said they received information that the vehicle was seen in the parking lot of the Mission Bell Motel on the 3200 block of Main Street.
Responding officers found the vehicle there. They watched two people, a 15-year-old juvenile and 18-year-old Ventura resident Jordan Chavez, enter the vehicle and drive away.
Chavez, who was driving, attempted to flee from patrol units on Telegraph Avenue, lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree.
Chavez attempted to flee on foot but was caught by officers a short distance away. The juvenile also attempted to flee on foot but became stuck between the passenger door and the tree as the rolling car came to a stop.
Ventura City Fire personnel were summoned to help free the juvenile, who was hospitalized with minor injuries to his leg. Chavez was also treated at Ventura County Medical Center for minor injuries sustained in the collision.
Chavez was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, hit and run causing serious injury, and vandalism. The juvenile was not charged.
