Ensenada police arrested three suspected car thieves on Sunday afternoon following a pursuit that wound through two residential neighborhoods on the city’s east side.
The incident began around 5:00 p.m. when residents in the Colonia Popular 89 neighborhood reported a brown Hyundai pickup truck stolen. Officers located the vehicle shortly after and signaled the driver to pull over, but the suspects refused to stop.
Chase Ended Near Puente Kiliwas Bridge
The pursuit continued through city streets before ending in the Lomas de la Presa subdivision, near the Puente Kiliwas bridge. Police cornered the truck there and apprehended all three occupants without further incident.
Colonia Popular 89 sits in Ensenada’s eastern sprawl, an area of dense residential blocks roughly 10 minutes inland from the tourist corridor along Avenida López Mateos. Lomas de la Presa, where the chase ended, lies farther east near the city’s reservoir infrastructure. Both neighborhoods are primarily residential and home to working families.
Vehicle Theft Remains a Persistent Problem
Car theft is one of the most commonly reported crimes in Ensenada. Pickup trucks, especially popular models like the Hyundai line, are frequent targets because of their resale value and demand for parts on the secondary market. The Baja California state attorney general’s office (FGE) has reported vehicle theft as a top property crime across the state in recent years.
The identities of the three suspects have not been officially released. Authorities noted that the information remains preliminary and unofficial pending a formal statement from prosecutors. It is not yet clear whether the suspects had prior records or if the stolen truck had been taken by force or while unattended.
The quick response time, from the initial theft report to the arrests, took less than an hour according to the timeline provided. The recovered Hyundai pickup is expected to be returned to its owner after processing as evidence.
This incident was first reported by Ensenada.net.