PLEASANTON, Calif. -- A suspected car thief was arrested after a police dog found the man hiding inside a garbage can, police say.

Police received a stolen car report Friday and spotted the vehicle a short time later, according to Pleasanton police Sgt. Brian Laurence. Officers followed the car until the passenger got out and fled on foot.

A K-9 unit and a helicopter were called to aid in the search for the man, officials said.

The dog found the suspect tucked inside a trash can in the side yard of a house. He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of a head wound. It was unclear when the man was hurt and police did not release his name.