(BCN) -- Two men were arrested by San Mateo police Tuesday after leading officers on a vehicle pursuit in an allegedly stolen car, the department said. Just before 7 p.m., officers in San Mateo were alerted by license plate reader technology to a possible stolen vehicle entering the city. The car was a Honda Accord and it was seen in the Los Prados neighborhood. Police were dispatched to the area and located the car going north on South Norfolk Street toward Hillsdale Boulevard. However, by then, the stolen car was seen with a different license plate, according to police. San Mateo County sheriff announces ‘self-empowerment’ program for incarcerated women Officers attempted to make a traffic stop, but the driver allegedly began to accelerate and merge onto Highway 101. Spike strips were used to puncture the front tires of the stolen vehicle to stop the driver from fleeing. Nevertheless, it got onto northbound Highway 101 and then exited the freeway and came to a stop near the intersection of Kehoe Avenue and Norton Street. The two occupants of the car were arrested. A search of the Honda allegedly uncovered multiple stolen license plates, drugs and drug paraphernalia. Police believe the new license plate on the Honda had been stolen from a parked car in the Los Prados neighborhood. Arrested were driver Steven Ramey, 40, of South San Francisco, and passenger Gustavo Meza, 36, from San Mateo. Ramey was booked into jail on suspicion of stealing a vehicle and possession of a controlled substance. Meza was booked on suspicion of being in possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a controlled substance and other crimes, according to police. This investigation is still ongoing as officers are identifying the owners of possible stolen items. The San Mateo Police Department said there has been an increase in criminals stealing license plates. Often, they steal a license plate from a vehicle and replace it with a different stolen license plate. Community members are encouraged to make a habit of looking at their license plates to ensure the right plates are on the car. Anyone who believes their license plate has been stolen or changed with another plate should not drive their car and contact police. Copyright © 2024 Bay City News, Inc.