Riverside man suspected of stealing Tesla caught after car’s owner tracks him on phone

(Riverside PD)

A man was arrested on Sunday night after police say he stole a Tesla in Riverside, only to have the owner of the vehicle know the exact whereabouts of the vehicle as you can track a Tesla on a phone.

The car was taken about 7:45 pm from a parking garage on Everton Place in the Eastside neighborhood of Riverside, say police. The owner of the Tesla was able to track the car’s whereabouts on their phone and updated police about where the vehicle was headed in real time.

An officer located the car as it was exiting the 91 freeway at Adams Street. Officers attempted to pull over the suspect, who fled in the Tesla, getting back on the freeway, then back off the Magnolia Avenue exit.

The suspect continued to lead officers on the pursuit as it travelled up La Sierra Avenue to Cajalco Road, then to the 15 freeway. Because of his high speeds and dangerous driving, officers pulled out of the pursuit but the Riverside Police Air Support Unit kept following the suspect.

The suspect eventually got on the 91 Freeway, where the car stopped as the battery died. The suspect was apprehended by CHP officers.

Filiberto Felix, 30-years-old of Riverside, was arrested and later booked into jail for car theft, felony evading police, and probation violations.