West Lake Hills Police Officer Mike De Leon helped an Austin Police Department helicopter locate a suspected car thief in a stolen vehicle on Westbank Drive Friday night, police say. 

De Leon heard the call over the Travis County radio channel early Friday evening and turned down Westbank Drive in case the suspect crossed over into the city limits.

“Air one told him he was getting ready to intersect with the vehicle,” according to the police report.  “That vehicle turned into the parking lot at 1001 Westbank Drive and he pulled in there, and the suspect got out on foot and he chased him.”

Since De Leon was the only officer on the scene, he waited for back up. A Travis County K-9 unit arrived and tracked down the suspect, Jaimey Sanchez-Perez, 33, police say. 

“We were able to recover the stolen vehicle and apprehend the suspect,” said Travis County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Roger Wade. 

Sanchez-Perez was taken to Travis County Central Booking and charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and evading arrest. Wade said the two charges carry a combined bond of $10,000.

The suspect is still in jail.