By Bay City News Service
A Newark man is in custody after allegedly attempting to steal a car in Belmont on Thursday evening, police said.
Alejandro Valencia, 26, got into a running, vacant car in the parking lot of a 7-Eleven at 400 El Camino Real at about 6:30 p.m. when the owner of the vehicle exited the store and confronted him, according to police.
Valencia, found to be under the influence of an illegal drug, left the area after the car owner was able to remove him from the vehicle, police said.
The car owner and a witness chased Valencia a number of blocks before they caught up to him just as Belmont police units arrived.
Valencia and the car owner were treated for minor injuries.
Valencia was brought into custody and booked into the San Mateo County jail on charges of auto theft, possession of methamphetamine and being under the influence of a controlled substance, according to police.
