Guelph man arrested after car owner dragged during theft

A Guelph police cruiser appears in a file photo. (Submitted)

A Guelph man has been arrested and charged after Guelph Police said a car owner was dragged while trying to stop a thief from taking his vehicle.

Officers were called to a plaza near Kortright Road West and Ironwood Road just before 8 a.m. on June 19. They were told a man had left his 2009 Mazda 3 running while he went into a store.

The man told police when we came outside a short time later, he saw his vehicle reversing out of a parking spot.

He grabbed onto the car and was dragged approximately three metres before falling to the ground. His arms and legs were cut and scraped up from the attempt.

Guelph Police said a suspect went into a business near Woodlawn Road West and Silvercreek Parkway North a short time later and stole a welding kit. Staff tried to stop him, but he took off in the stolen Mazda.

Investigators found the charred remains of the stolen vehicle in Mount Forest later that day after it had been set on fire and destroyed.

A 31-year-old Guelph man was arrested on Tuesday and charged with motor vehicle theft, dangerous driving, three counts of driving while prohibited and theft under $5,000.