SAN DIEGO -- A car thief pretending to be a parking valet outside a strip club took the keys to a patron's car and stole it, police said.

A customer pulled up outside the Pure Platinum bar on Pacific Highway about 9:30 p.m. Saturday and turned his keys over, expecting the man to safely park his car. Then he watched as the thief drove off on Laurel Street, said San Diego police Officer Brad Ruff.

An officer spotted the car less than 10 minutes later on Interstate 5 heading towards Mexico. The officer called for backup and made the arrest on the 125 Freeway near Sweetwater Reservoir, after following the alleged thief for about 20 minutes, Ruff said.

The name of the man arrested was not immediately available.