Irvine, Calif. (July 20, 2017) – A search and foot pursuit Thursday morning that led police to three different apartment complexes near The Market Place has ended in the arrest of a suspect in a stolen vehicle case.

 

At approximately 5:45 a.m. Thursday, the Irvine Police Department received a call from a witness who saw a Honda CRV pushing an Acura Integra from the parking lot of Target at The Market Place, 13200 Jamboree Road, across the street to the Las Palmas apartment complex.

 

Once at Las Palmas, the suspect removed the rims and tires from the vehicle, placed them into his Honda and drove across Irvine Boulevard to the Somerset apartment community. When officers arrived at Somerset, they were told the suspect fled back across Irvine Boulevard, at which time he was seen jumping a wall at the nearby Anacapa apartments.  A search that lasted several hours was unsuccessful.

 

As officers were preparing to clear the scene, a maintenance worker back at Las Palmas spotted a man matching the suspect’s description on the roof of the complex. Officers utilized a scissor lift to gain access to the roof and gave verbal commands for the suspect to surrender. The suspect then jumped from the roof and landed on scaffolding before leading officers on a short foot pursuit.

 

Jeffrey Thomas Eidum, 35, was taken into custody. He was transported to a local hospital as a precaution, then booked at the Irvine Police Department. He will be transported to Orange County Jail.

 

The investigation in this case is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Irvine Police Department at 949-724-7000. 

 

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