A transient suspected in a string of burglaries around Temecula was behind bars Sunday.
Christopher Steven Mead, 53, was arrested following a short foot pursuit in Temecula about 5:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Kevin McDonald.
He was booked into the Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of second-degree burglary, attempted burglary, grand theft and parole violation, jail records indicate.
Mead was being held on no bail, pending a court appearance Wednesday, records show.
The pursuit and arrest occurred when a patrolling sheriff's deputy spotted a vehicle linked to burglaries that occurred earlier this month at two Asian restaurants: the Korean BBQ Village and the Hana Sushi Restaurant, a sergeant wrote in a news release.
When the deputy stopped the vehicle -- at Temecula Parkway near Margarita Road -- the suspect got out and ran but soon after was caught hiding behind a trash bin, McDonald wrote.
Mead is wanted on two burglary warrants in Riverside County, a burglary warrant out of San Bernardino County and a state parole warrant, the sergeant said.
He is also suspected in four other commercial burglaries in Temecula and several more in Murrieta.
Authorities in both cities were investigating further, McDonald said.
Anyone with information was asked to call detectives at 951-696-3000.
