SAN MATEO >> Authorities on Monday arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of stealing a car in East Palo Alto and leading police on a pursuit through several Peninsula cities.

The episode unfolded just before 12:15 a.m., when a license plate reader detected a Toyota Corolla that had been reported, entering San Mateo, the San Mateo Police Department said in a news release.

Officers found the Toyota leaving a parking lot at El Camino Real and 17th Avenue.

They tried to stop the driver, but he sped away northbound on El Camino, police said.

The driver ran red lights and crossed into oncoming traffic as officers pursued him through San Mateo, Burlingame and Millbrae, police said.

Officers ended up using spike strips to stop the car. Police said the driver got out of the car and tried to run away, but officers detained him.

The driver, identified as an East Palo Alto man, was arrested and booked into San Mateo County jail on suspicion of joyriding, evading, resisting arrest and driving with a suspended license.