Homeless Man Suspected of Stealing Truck, Running From Police

A transient suspected of stealing a work truck led sheriff's deputies on a foot chase Thursday before he was caught along Highway 111 in La Quinta.

Deputies caught up with the suspect, identified as Lincoln Huynh, 29, in the parking lot of a Kohl's department store and arrested him on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle, Riverside County Sheriff's Cpl. Angel Ramos said.

Dispatchers received a 12:46 p.m. call from someone claiming a man dressed in a yellow shirt took his truck from Calle Sinaloa, Ramos said. A community resource officer who heard the sheriff's radio broadcast spotted the work truck being driven north on Washington Street and followed it.

Huynh, who apparently learned he was being tailed, allegedly ditched the truck and ran northbound on Highway 111 before deputies caught up with him, Ramos said.

The person who reported the truck stolen "positively identified" Huynh as the suspect who took his truck, Ramos said.

Jail records indicate Huynh was booked at the Indio jail on felony theft charges, and for violating probation.  He was being held without the possibility of bail.