Car Theft Suspect Arrested on El Toro

An 18-year-old man was arrested Wednesday after, authorities say, he admitted he had stolen the Grand Jeep Cherokee he was driving.

Shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday, an  deputy saw the car eastbound on El Toro Road from Rockfield Boulevard and ran a records check on the license plate.

The check showed that the SUV had been reported stolen in Lake Forest.

The driver, Tommy Radillo, was pulled over by police at El Toro Road and Muirlands Boulevard and taken into custody without incident.

A female passenger was detained but subsequently released at the scene.

According to police, Radillo admitted to the deputy that he had stolen the car Tuesday.

Details as to why the deputy checked the license plate were unavailable; however, Radillo has had previous contact with police in Orange County.

According to court records, he was cited less than two months ago for possessing or purchasing tobacco or tobacco paraphernalia while under 18. Last year in June, he was cited for the same offense, as well as for throwing lighted material onto the highway.

In January, he was cited for throwing, depositing or dumping matter on the highway.

Radillo was booked into the Orange County Jail Wednesday on suspicion of auto theft.