Oscar Ponce, 23, of Hainesville, was apprehended by Lake County Sheriff’s Office Canine Duke early Tuesday morning after Ponce tried fleeing from sheriff’s deputies in Beach Park.

Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Duke tracked down and bit a suspect who police say was attempting to steal catalytic converters at a car dealership in Beach Park.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 12:15 a.m. Tuesday to the 36900 block of North Green Bay Road in Beach Park for a report of a suspicious person.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived and saw a man hiding underneath a vehicle in the parking lot.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the man who was under the vehicle fled on foot as the deputy approached him.

Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Duke arrived at the scene and was deployed to apprehend the fleeing man.

Duke bit the man and was able to subdue him until sheriff’s deputies took him into custody.

The suspect, identified as Oscar Ponce, 23, of the 0-100 block of West Tall Oak Drive in Hainesville, was evaluated by paramedics for a dog bite to the hand.

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Ponce was then transported to the Lake County Jail.

Sheriff’s deputies located multiple car jacks and a saw, which are consistent tools being used in catalytic converter thefts, Covelli said.

It is believed Ponce had accomplices with him during the catalytic converter theft attempt, who were able to flee while sheriff’s deputies pursued Ponce.

Ponce was charged with possession of burglary tools, theft, criminal damage to property and resisting arrest.

He remains held in the Lake County Jail pending an initial court hearing Tuesday morning.

Sheriff’s detectives are investigating and working to determine the identity of the others involved, Covelli said.