Elmhurst Cops Arrest Car Theft Suspects

ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst police last week arrested two car theft suspects after deploying a tire deflation device, authorities said.

The suspects were in the same silver Honda CRV that had been used to flee from police in the previous couple of days in Naperville, Aurora and Downers Grove, Elmhurst police said in a news release.

On Wednesday afternoon, Elmhurst police were alerted to the Honda entering town. The car was reported as stolen in Chicago.

Elmhurst officers saw the Honda heading north on York Street at Vallette Street. The officers deployed the deflation device as the stolen car entered the ramp for eastbound Interstate 290 from St. Charles Road, police said.

The driver fled from the officers, then stopped in Maywood with three flat tires, police said. The occupants abandoned the car, running away, police said.

Officers from several towns searched the area with help from a Chicago police helicopter.

They apprehended Abdulhafedh H. Abdulhafedh, 25, of Aurora, and Wenzel C. Draper, 32, of Chicago, police said. Another person got away.

Abdulhafedh and Draper were charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and possession of stolen license plates. Abdulhafedh faces the additional charge of obstructing an officer.