ROYAL CITY — K-9 deputies helped nab a pair of alleged vehicle thieves early Monday morning following a lengthy pursuit in eastern and central Grant County.

About 12:20 a.m. a deputy reportedly started following a stolen vehicle near Road U Southeast and Road 3 Southeast. Another deputy arrived to assist and the pursuit reached speeds of 80 mph through central Grant County.

Deputy Dave De La Rosa and K-9 Grizzly joined the pursuit near Dodson Road and Road 10 Southwest. The stolen vehicle turned onto a gravel canal road near the 10100 block of Dodson Road Southwest and the female driver and male passenger got out of the vehicle and attempted to flee. The driver, identified as Casandra J. Ochoa, 23, was taken into custody by De La Rosa and Grizzly. The passenger in the stolen car, identified as Bulmaro Hernandez, 24, who was hiding next to a nearby shed, was found about 2 a.m. by Cpl. Ric Char and K-9 Chicka.

Ochoa was booked into the Grant County Jail for investigation of felony eluding and possession of a stolen vehicle. Hernandez was jailed on an outstanding felony warrant he had out for his arrest and for investigation of possession of a stolen vehicle.