SUSPECTED CAR THIEF ARRESTED JG

A MAN WALKED AWAY FROM A MINIMUM SECURITY JAIL IN WATSONVILLE, BUT WAS APPREHENDED IN SANTA CRUZ THURSDAY AFTERNOON. GEORGE MAYFIELD WAS INCARCERATED AT ROUNTREE JAIL IN WATSONVILLE FOR A DRUG-POSSESSION CONVICTION. AFTER WALKING AWAY FROM THE JAIL, HE TOOK A MERCURY SABLE THAT HAD BEEN LEFT RUNNING IN FRONT OF A SEACLIFF-AREA HOME. THE C.H.P. ALERTED AREA POLICE FOR THE MISSING CAR, AND A SANTA CRUZ POLICE OFFICER SPOTTED THE CAR ON RIVER STREET IN DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ. MAYFIELD INITIALLY DID NOT STOP. HOWEVER, AFTER SKIDDING TO A STOP HE FLED FROM POLICE. HE WAS ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF CAR THEFT AND EVADING ARREST AFTER BEING CORRALLED BY OFFICERS. TWO OTHER MEN WERE ALSO ARRESTED WITH HIM BUT WERE LATER RELEASED.