Pearland, TX — A man recently released from the Pearland City Jail was back in custody less than two hours after allegedly stealing a vehicle less than a mile from the jail, according to the Pearland Police Department.
Police said Helvin Luis Alvarado Pagan was released from the city jail at approximately 9:03 a.m. Tuesday, August 25.
At approximately 10:17 a.m., officers responded to the Chevron at 8416 Broadway St. after a vehicle was reported stolen from the parking lot. The owner told officers the vehicle was taken while he was airing up his tires.
Security footage showed a man driving away in the vehicle. A Pearland Police crime analyst identified the suspect as Pagan, who police said matched the description and was wearing the same clothing shown in his recent booking photograph.
Investigators determined the theft occurred at approximately 10:10 a.m., just over an hour after Pagan's release and less than a mile from the jail.
Police used FLOCK camera technology to track the stolen vehicle into Houston, where it was detected near Howard Drive and the Gulf Freeway. Detectives later spotted a vehicle matching its description but lost sight of it after the driver allegedly sped and ran a red light.
Officers and detectives subsequently located Pagan at 8405 Broadway St. Police said he was taken into custody and officers recovered the keys to the stolen vehicle.
Pagan was returned to the Pearland City Jail and charged with:
• Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle — State Jail Felony
• Theft of a Firearm — State Jail Felony
The stolen vehicle was recovered, and Pagan was taken into custody less than two hours after the reported theft.
All charges are allegations. Pagan is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.