The victim left his home in the 300 block of Alta Mesa Drive in one of his cars and returned minutes later, around 8 p.m., to find a man driving away in another of his cars, a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, police said.
The victim blocked the Monte Carlo's path and got out of his car to confront the suspect, who tried to run, police said. However, the victim caught the suspect and kept him from escaping by pulling his baggy pants down his legs, police said.
The victim then took off his own T-shirt and wrapped it around the suspect's head to control him until police arrived and arrested him.
Police later identified the suspect as Brandon Thompson. He initially lied about his identity because he was a parolee-at-large, police said. He was booked into San Mateo County jail and the victim's vehicle was returned with minor damage to its steering wheel column.
Thompson suffered a bruised lip in the scuffle, police said.
Police said Thompson may have had an accomplice. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Officer Sam Langi at (650) 877-8900.