Turlock Police officers recovered a stolen vehicle and arrested a suspected auto thief after a short pursuit Monday night.

The incident began shortly before 10 p.m. Monday in the area of W. Olive Avenue and S. First Street when an officer spotted a vehicle that a check revealed had been reported stolen.

The officer attempted to pull the vehicle over and make contact with the driver, but the driver decided to flee.

Additional officers joined the pursuit, which came to a quick end when the driver lost control and hit a pole on Kenwood Avenue.

Three people jumped out of the car and ran off. One suspect, later identified as 22-year-old Kelvin Freeman, was found hiding in a backyard on Kenwood. Freeman was believed to be the driver of the car, said Turlock Police spokesperson Officer Mayra Lewis.

Freeman was arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and evading a peace officer.