Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian Aptos/La Selva firefighter James Collender drowns a fire that engulfed a Chevy Sonic Wednesday afternoon on Larkin Valley Road. The car was reportedly stolen Tuesday night in Watsonville.
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WATSONVILLE — Firefighters extinguished a half-acre blaze Wednesday afternoon caused when a stolen car burst into flames on Larkin Valley Road.
According to California Highway Patrol Officer Sam Courtney, the red Chevrolet Sonic was stolen from a Watsonville address on Tuesday night.
At about 4 p.m., a man driving a white GMC pickup reported that the stolen vehicle occupied by four or five Hispanic males struck the side of his truck as it backed down Old Adobe Road.
The man also reported that the vehicle had two flat tires.
The Sonic then fled north on Larkin Valley Road and caught fire, likely because of friction from the flat tires, Courtney said.
The males fled, and the flames caused a small blaze that was quickly contained by Cal Fire crews.
A short time later, five juveniles were arrested as they walked down Larkin View Road.
This story will be updated.
