PEARLAND — A man released from the Pearland City Jail allegedly stole a vehicle less than a mile away about an hour later, leading police on a search that ended with his return to the same jail Tuesday.

Helvin Luis Alvarado Pagan was arrested on charges of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and theft of a firearm, both state jail felonies, according to the Pearland Police Department.

Police said Pagan had been released from the city jail at approximately 9:03 a.m. Aug. 25.

About an hour later, at 10:17 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Chevron at 8416 Broadway St. after receiving a report of a vehicle theft in progress.

The vehicle’s owner told officers it was stolen from the parking lot while he was airing up his tires.

Security footage obtained from the convenience store showed a man wearing red shorts and a gray Jordan T-shirt driving away in the vehicle, according to police.

A Pearland police crime analyst identified Pagan as the suspected driver. Police said he matched the description and was wearing the same clothing shown in his jail booking photograph.

Investigators determined the vehicle was taken at approximately 10:10 a.m., just over an hour after Pagan’s release and less than a mile from the jail.

Police and detectives then used Flock license plate reader cameras in their search for the stolen vehicle. Authorities said a camera detected the vehicle near Howard Drive and the Gulf Freeway in Houston minutes after the theft.

At approximately 11:20 a.m., detectives spotted a vehicle matching its description traveling west on Howard Drive.

Police said the driver was speeding and ran a red light at Belfort Street and the Gulf Freeway. Detectives followed but lost sight of the vehicle after it turned south onto Broadway.

While searching nearby apartment complexes, officers located Pagan at 8405 Broadway St., according to the department. Police said he was still wearing the same clothing and carrying a clear plastic bag containing his property.

Pagan was taken into custody, and officers recovered the keys to the stolen vehicle, police said.

The vehicle was recovered, and Pagan was returned to the Pearland City Jail less than two hours after the initial theft was reported.

Police did not provide additional details in the release about the firearm that resulted in the theft of a firearm charge, including where it was allegedly located or recovered.