ESCONDIDO, Calif. - A manhunt was launched for a suspected car thief following a brief pursuit in the Escondido area.

According to Escondido police, officers received a report of a stolen vehicle shortly before 11:45 a.m. Officers spotted the vehicle and pursued it until the driver crashed at the intersection of Lake Wohlford Road and Valley Parkway.

The suspected thief fled the crash scene and into an area near 24750 Lake Wohlford Road.

Police conducted a search by air and on the ground, and officers notified residents to avoid the area during the search.

The suspected thief is described as a white male wearing a white tank top, blue jeans and red belt. He may also be wearing a baseball-style hat.

As of 6 p.m., the suspected thief has not been detained.