Man Allegedly Steals Car, Caught After Brief Foot Chase

An 18-year-old El Paso man allegedly stole a 2010 Mini Cooper in West El Paso and drove it around for two days before being busted Wednesday when he allegedly ran from El Paso police.

Erick Dykema has been charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Evading Arrest. He allegedly took the vehicle from a West Side home. On Wednesday, the stolen Mini Cooper was spotted in a parking lot in the 6900 block of North Mesa.

According to police, when they arrived, officers spotted Dykema speeding out of the parking lot on Mesa. Dykema allegedly refused to stop but was caught when he got out and attempted to run a short distance away.

Dykema, who lives in the 500 block of Stonebluff, has been booked into El Paso County Jail on a $20,000 bond.

According to police, vehicle thefts are down 27 percent in West El Paso and 14 percent across the city, compared to this same period last year.