An auto-theft suspect who was no stranger to police as a juvenile offender is now in trouble as an adult.

Police today arrested the man, 18, on suspicion of auto theft in Halawa with a big assist from the department's helicopter.

According to police, the youth has ties going back five years to the notorious auto-theft group known as GTAG or Grand Theft Auto Gang which has been stealing autos in 'Aiea, Halawa and Pearl City for years, mostly to play out the video game in real life.

In today's case, police dispatch received a call about a hazardous driver on the H-3 Freeway. A check of the license number called in showed the car was reported stolen. Patrol units and HPD's helicopter located the vehicle on the freeway and tracked it.

The helicopter followed as the driver headed onto Moanalua Freeway, where he eventually collided with a guardrail. The driver fled on foot but was found by police hiding in bushes off Moanalua Freeway westbound at the stadium offramp in Halawa at 4 p.m.

The man was arrested for unauthorized control of a motor vehicle, driving without a license and reckless driving. Charges are pending.