FREMONT — A 20-year-old man on parole after a vehicle-theft conviction was arrested Wednesday in connection with two additional stolen car cases, including one that involved a high-speed chase.

San Lorenzo resident John Edward Dunbar III, 20, has been arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of stolen property and possession of burglary tools, as well as a parole violation stemming from a November 2007 vehicle theft, Detective Bill Veteran said.

Dunbar, who likely will be arraigned today, also is being investigated in connection with a second vehicle theft that was reported Wednesday after he was arrested, Veteran said.

In that case, the owner of a 1991 Toyota Camry didn't even know the car was missing until police found property in Dunbar's backpack that had been taken from the car, Veteran said.

Dunbar was arrested at 3:22 p.m., just 12 minutes after someone reported a relative's 1988 Toyota Camry was being stolen. Two minutes after the initial report, police spotted the Camry on northbound Interstate 880 being driven by a man later identified as Dunbar, the detective said.

An officer followed the Camry north on I-880 from Mowry to Thornton Avenue, where the driver exited and headed east. About a block later, the driver made a U-turn and got back on the freeway and headed south.

With the officer following, the driver began speeding away, at times reaching 100 mph, Veteran said.

The driver then

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exited at Auto Mall Parkway and abandoned the vehicle near Pacific Commons. Several onlookers pointed out the driver who was running away, and officers arrested him at gunpoint, Veteran said.

Police searched Dunbar's backpack and found burglary tools, a stolen Alpine stereo and two "for sale" signs that came from the 1991 Camry, the detective said.

Officers called the number on the signs and learned that the owner of the 1991 Camry didn't know the vehicle was missing. As of Thursday afternoon, the 1991 Camry still had not been found.

Staff writer Ben Aguirre Jr. can be reached at 510-353-7011 or baguirre@bayareanewsgroup.com.