An early morning welfare check at a Newhall car wash led to the arrest of a suspected car thief Saturday.

Very early Saturday morning, a deputy on patrol noticed a man sitting with a vehicle parked at a car wash. 

“It wouldn’t have seemed unusual, except it was 4:15 a.m.” said the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station in a statement.

Deputies said the time of day prompted the deputy to stop and check on the man’s well-being.

“As the deputy got closer, he observed loose wires coming from the steering column and signs the ignition had been tampered with. The man was also found in possession of a shaved key,” SCV Sheriff’s Station said.

The man, identified as 47-year-old Eduardo Bejines of Van Nuys, reportedly told deputies the car was not his, but was unable to explain who owned it.

Investigators later learned he had previous arrests involving vehicle theft and grand theft, according to sheriff’s officials.

Bejines was booked into the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station on felony charges without incident. 

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